Kuwaiti flag bearer hoists the national flag during the opening ceremony.

MUSCAT, April 6: The third edition of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Beach Games officially kicked off in Muscat, Oman, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Shihab Al Said. The opening ceremony was held at the scenic Lake Theater in Qurum Natural Park and welcomed over 330 athletes, including 65 representing Kuwait. The multi-sport event runs until April 11.

The ceremony was attended by prominent sports officials, including Sheikh Fahad Al-Nasser, President of the Kuwait Olympic Committee, and Sheikh Khaled Al-Badr Al-Sabah, President of the Kuwaiti and Asian Aquatics Federations. Kuwaiti sailor Amina Shah proudly carried the national flag during the athletes’ parade, accompanied by members of the administrative delegation and team players.

Kuwait is participating in six events: beach soccer, beach volleyball, sailing, paragliding (air sports), athletics, and the equestrian discipline of tent pegging.

The Kuwait Paragliding Team—featuring Ibrahim Al-Rashoud, Ahmed Al-Mas, Mohammed Al-Dosari, and Talal Al-Mutawa—continues its competition today (Monday) with three scheduled rounds, following its first-round performance.

Ahmed Al-Shallahi, Chairman of the Kuwait Air Sports Club, expressed his confidence in the team's ability to achieve strong results. He thanked the Kuwait Olympic Committee and its President, Sheikh Fahad Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, for their continued support and for ensuring optimal preparation and conditions for the athletes.

Kuwait's national sailing team clinched a bronze medal in the Optimist team competition on the opening day. The team was comprised of Ali Anki, Hamad Al-Masoud, Bader Bu Hamad, and Abdulaziz Al-Mansour. The UAE claimed the gold medal, while the host nation, Oman, secured silver.

The beach volleyball tournament draw divided the teams into four groups:

Group 1: Kuwait 2, Oman 3, Qatar 1

Group 2: Kuwait 1, Oman 1, UAE 1

Group 3: Oman 2, Saudi Arabia 2, Bahrain 1

Group 4: Qatar 2, Saudi Arabia 1, Bahrain 2, Oman 4

Kuwait 1 will face UAE 1, and Kuwait 2 will take on Oman 3, with both matches scheduled for 9:00 AM at the northern Al Hail Beach courts.