Oman to take part in five sports — MUSCAT — Bahrain is all set to host the third edition of the GCC Women’s Games from today. According to information received from the organisers, five countries — Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain will compete in eight disciplines during this 10-day gathering. Competitions are volleyball, basketball, taekwondo, bowling, table tennis, athletics, shooting and athletics for the disabled.

The Sultanate will be represented in five disciplines — athletics, table tennis, volleyball, basketball and bowling. Today’s programme commences at 10am with the Executive Office meeting at the Regency Hotel, to be chaired by GCC Women’s Sports Committee Chairwoman Shaikha Naima al Ahmed al Subah of Kuwait. It will be followed by the table tennis technical meeting at the Golden Tulip Hotel.

The official opening ceremony will then take place at 6.30 pm at the Bahrain Disabled Sports Federation gym in Riffa and is under the patronage of Princess Sabeeka bint Ebrahim al Khalifa, Supreme Council for Women President. Games action begins tomorrow with the table tennis team event, to be played over two sessions. The technical meeting of the volleyball tournament is also due for tomorrow at 7.00 pm at the Golden Tulip.

Giving the Games details at a press conference, Bahrain Olympic Committee member Shaikha Hayat bint Abdulaziz al Khalifa said that having more players taking part in the third edition Games underlines the development of women’s sports and its popularity in the GCC. “There will be 370 athletes competing in the GCC Games here in Bahrain.”