UAE finish on top with 296 medals at Gulf Youth Games

The historic first edition of the Gulf Youth Games Emirates 2024 concluded on Tuesday after two weeks of thrilling competitions.

A total of 792 medals were awarded across 24 sports disciplines, marking the achievements of the promising young athletes.

With rising Emirati stars showcasing their talent on the home soil, the UAE emerged as the dominant force in this inaugural event, clinching the lion’s share of medals with an impressive tally of 296, constituting 37 per cent of the total medals awarded. The UAE’s medal haul comprised 96 gold, 103 silver, and 97 bronze medals, securing their position at the top of the standings.

Saudi Arabia finished a distant second with 149 medals (58 gold, 57 silver, 34 bronze), followed by Kuwait in third place with 126 medals (35 gold, 45 silver, 46 bronze). Qatar finished fourth place with 81 medals (31 gold, 22 silver, 28 bronze) while Bahrain came in fifth with 77 medals (25 gold, 20 silver, 32 bronze). Rounding up the standings, Oman took sixth position with a total of 63 medals including 21 gold, 14 silver, and 28 bronze medals.

On the final day of action at the Gulf Youth Games, UAE’s swimming team grabbed four more medals. This boosted their final tally to 28 medals, including six gold, 10 silver, and 12 bronze. The Emirati fencing team also excelled, claiming six medals across two days, bringing their total tally to 11 medals.

On Tuesday evening, the organizing committee of the first Gulf Youth Games hosted a ceremony to honor the participating delegations.

Held in the UAE from April 16 to May 2, the event brought together 3,500 male and female athletes, along with 300 volunteers and 100 media professionals.

Faris Mohammed Al Mutawa, Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee, Vice Chairman of the Supreme Committee, and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, addressed the gathering. During his speech, Faris Mohammed Al Mutawa highlighted the pivotal role of the Gulf Youth Games in fostering camaraderie and strengthening bonds among athletes from the GCC. “This initiative is in line with the vision of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, President of the National Olympic Committee, and President of the First Gulf Youth Games.

“Throughout the sixteen days of competition in the inaugural Gulf Youth Games, we found joy in hosting you in your second home, the UAE. Together, we celebrated the champions, the budding stars, and the hope of Gulf sports. This marks another stride in our journey of nurturing promising generations for a brighter and more prosperous future, continuing the path we embarked upon with our brothers from the GCC, bound by history, brotherhood, and a shared destiny.”

He added: “I am here among you to celebrate the success of a remarkable sporting event, distinguished by its objectives. Through this initiative, we aim to foster the talents of our young men and women, nurturing their skills and abilities. This aligns perfectly with the vision of the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who famously said, ‘our concern for the youth must be of paramount importance, for they are the soldiers, the hope of the future’.

Al-Mutawa concluded by stating, “The success of organizing the inaugural Gulf Youth Games was not a mere coincidence. Ever since Sheikh Ahmed graciously proposed the idea, it garnered the enthusiastic support of all Olympic committees from our brotherly Gulf nations, transforming it from concept to reality. This tangible achievement reflects our aspiration for a significant advancement in the capabilities and achievements of our youth. In conclusion, we affirm that the first Gulf Youth Games is the event that sparked innovation among the youth.”

Dahlan Jumaan Al Hamad, President of the Asian Athletics Association, commended the UAE for its exemplary hosting and organization of the inaugural Gulf Youth Games.

He emphasized that this event has laid the groundwork for a significant sports platform with far-reaching implications for sustainable sports development across the GCC.

Highlighting the tournament’s tangible impact and its launch in the Emirates, he underscored its potential to benefit Gulf youth across all the sanctioned games in its comprehensive programme of competitions.

Al-Hamad extended his congratulations to Sheikh Ahmed for the resounding success of the tournament and its attainment of its established objectives. He lauded the exceptional level of organization demonstrated in hosting this sporting event for the GCC youth.