DOHA: Over 300 athletes from across the GCC will participate in the 2nd GCC Beach Games, which consists of 13 competitions across seven sporting disciplines set to be held this week.
The event will run from April 2 to 9, organisers said yesterday.
The multi-purpose complex at Al Gharafa Sports Club will host the volleyball, handball, football and 3x3 basketball events, while Katara Cultural Village, situated on Doha’s stunning Corniche, will host open water swimming, rowing, sailing and air sports.
The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) has invited the public to come and witness the Games.
Commenting on Doha’s hosting of the Beach Games, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, said: “It is an honour to be hosting the second edition of GCC Beach Games in Doha. The hosting of Beach Games is still a relatively young concept on the international sporting calendar and we aim to use our staging of this event to raise the profile of beach sports in Qatar, across the GCC and internationally in order to inspire greater participation and assist with their global growth and development.”
Sheikh Saoud added: “We hope that Doha’s stunning backdrop, ideal conditions and state-of-the-art facilities will provide an excellent opportunity to showcase beach sports to new audiences.”
The concept of a Beach Games was created by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) with the staging of the first-ever Asian Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia in 2008, and is seen as a pioneer in bringing new sports to the sand.
There will be media centres located at each venue, QOC said yesterday.
The Beach Games were first held in Bahrain five years.
Khalid Hamad Al Mohannadi, the Executive Director of the Second GCC Beach Games yesterday confirmed that the multi-sporting event featuring seven disciplines will be held at three venues in Doha.
“We are expecting participation of over 300 athletes,” Al Mohannadi said earlier last month.
“Al Gharafa and Katara will be the two venues. Al Gharafa will play host to football, handball, basketball and volleyball events while the contests for swimming, rowing and sailing will be held in Katara,” he said.
Basketball has been added to the second edition as the inaugural edition saw the GCC countries vying for honours in six disciplines, he added. Al Mohannadi announced Sudaifi as mascot for the second GCC Beach Games.
Sudaifi was the mascot for the 17th GCC Football Championship, it may be recalled. He also promised to hold the event in a befitting manner.
“All the federations are working together for the event,” said Al Mohannadi. “Arrangements for GCC Beach Games are on track and we hope it will be a huge success.” To a query, Al Mohannadi said the weather in April will be suitable for holding the Games.
In a pre-event interview with Director of Beach Football Competitions, Abdullah Jassim confirmed that the Beach Football Competitions will be held in one league format with participation of five teams.
THE PENINSULA
