The Peninsula
Qatar padel team yesterday clinched gold medal to wrap up their brilliant performance at the third GCC Games at Al Yarmouk Sports Club in Kuwait.
In their last match of the five-team event, Qatar defeated Kuwait 3-0 to finish on top in the round-robin contest after winning all their four matches, becoming the first nation to win padel gold at the GCC Games.
Yesterday, the pair of Mohammed Abdulla and Abdulaziz Al Kuwari gave Qatar a lead when they beat Kuwait’s Ahmad Muhammad and Abdulaziz Mayouf 6-2, 6-4. Mohammed Al Kuwari and Abdulla Al Hijji sealed the victory after defeating Abdulrahman Al Awadhi and Mohammad Abdal 6-3, 6-2.
Rayan Al Jufairi and Ali Al Sayegh completed a dominant win, blanking Kuwait’s Najeeb Al Awadi and Ali Hayat 6-0, 6-0.
“Winning the gold medal at the GCC Games is a new achievement for the Qatari padel,” said Al Hajji.
“The players and those in charge of the team made great efforts to achieve this medal and it has paid off,” he added.
Qatar's Zineeoone Boumendlel prepares to score against Kuwait during their Group A handball match.
Hosts Kuwait took silver while the UAE secured bronze medal in the competition.
Meanwhile, Qatar remained on course for a gold medal in handball after a hard fought 24-23 victory over Kuwait, yesterday. After leading 16-9 in the first period, Qatar faced tough fight in the second period but they managed to hold the home side to earn their third straight victory.
Al Annabi, who are on top of the table with six points in the five-team event, will meet Bahrain in their last match on Tuesday.
In women’s 3x3 basketball event that started yesterday, Qatar experienced mixed fortunes winning two matches while losing as many games. They are third on the table with four points, behind UAE (8 points) and Bahrain (6 points).
Qatar lost their opening game against Bahrain 8-6 before they bounced back for a 16-12 victory over Oman. In their third match, Qatar suffered a 20-11 defeat to Saudi Arabia before they ended the day with a 12-10 win over Kuwait.
Qatar will face the UAE, hoping for a place in semi-finals and a medal in the event, which will conclude today.
Team Qatar athletes will also be seen in action in fencing and karate, while Qatar tennis team will meet Kuwait in their second match today after defeating the UAE 3-0 in their first match.