UAE Claims Fifth Medal at GCC Beach Games in Muscat with Tent Pegging Team Bronze

The UAE national tent pegging team secured the bronze medal in the team lance event at the 3rd GCC Beach Games, Muscat 2025. Saudi Arabia won gold, while host nation Oman took silver.

Representing the UAE were Fahad Shenwan Al Shammari, Saif Mubarak Al Harthi, Mohammed Abdullah Hussein, Khaled Al Masoud Al Hashemi, and Essa Abdulmajid Al Baloushi.

This result brought the UAE’s total medal tally at the Games to five: three gold medals won by Abdullah Nasser Al Hammadi in paragliding (Target Landing and Cone Slalom), and one by the national sailing team in the Optimist team event. The UAE aerosports team also earned a silver in the paragliding team competition, in addition to the latest bronze by the tent pegging team.

The UAE is competing in all eight sports featured at the Games—beach football, handball, volleyball, athletics, tent pegging, sailing, swimming, and paragliding—with a delegation of 77 male and female athletes. This marks the UAE’s third consecutive participation in the event, having been present since its launch in Bahrain in 2010.

Fahad Shenwan Al Shammari expressed his delight at winning bronze in the lancing event, stating: “Congratulations to everyone on this bronze medal in tent pegging. This achievement was made possible by God first, and by the spirit of teamwork that united us. We also owe this success to the immense support of our beloved country, which has provided us with every resource and encouragement to succeed. We look forward to achieving more in the future, God willing. Thank you to everyone who supported us.”

In the men’s 60-metre beach sprint, Mohammed Hassan Khairi Al Nubi placed sixth with a time of 7.17 seconds, while Salem Ali Hassan Al Baloushi came eighth with 7.47 seconds. In the women’s 60-metre race, UAE sprinter Fatima Al Baloushi finished fifth in 8.33 seconds, followed by Mahra Abdulrahim in seventh with 8.44 seconds.

Salem Ali Hassan Al Baloushi also claimed fourth place in the long jump, registering a distance of 6.55 metres.

UAE Beach Handball Team Set for Key Showdown with Oman

The UAE beach handball team continued its preparations to face Oman on Wednesday evening, following victories over Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, and an earlier loss to Oman in the opening match. According to tournament regulations, each team faces every opponent twice.

The UAE squad has earned four points so far and aims to strengthen its position in the remaining three matches to increase its chances of securing a medal. Sultan Al Tawaila, Team Manager of the UAE national beach handball team, expressed confidence in the team's potential, highlighting the players’ commitment and determination to achieve a result worthy of UAE handball. He added that the upcoming match against Oman would be crucial for determining the final standings, particularly as the Omani side includes several promising players and finished fourth at the most recent World Championship.

UAE Delegation Visits Athletes’ Residence

His Excellency Faris Mohammed Al Mutawa, Secretary General of the UAE National Olympic Committee, accompanied by His Excellency Major General Dr. Mohammed Al Mur, His Excellency Abdulaziz Al Salman (both members of the NOC Board of Directors), and His Excellency Mohammed bin Darwish, Executive Director of the NOC, visited the athletes’ residence in Muscat to check on the delegation’s well-being and review preparations for the remaining competitions. The Games are being hosted by the Sultanate of Oman from 5 to 11 April.

HE Al Mutawa conveyed the greetings of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee, to the delegation and confirmed that all NOC members and departments are closely following the athletes’ progress. He praised the high standard of performance seen so far, which reflects the athletes' technical and physical readiness and has translated into podium finishes.

The Secretary-General was briefed on the delegation’s administrative, logistical, and medical preparations and received a summary of daily operations and coordination efforts designed to keep athletes focused and well-supported throughout their competitions.

The officials also posed for a group photo with the athletes representing the UAE and encouraged them to redouble their efforts in the upcoming events to increase the country’s medal tally and strengthen its overall position in the standings.

Athletics competitions will continue on Thursday with the men’s and women’s triple jump, high jump, 4x60m relay, and mile run. Tent pegging also resumes with the ring and lemon peg event and the team relay.

The UAE beach handball team is scheduled to face Saudi Arabia, while the beach football team meets Oman. Meanwhile, the sailing team continues its participation in individual races across all categories, with final rankings and medal presentations taking place on Thursday.