3/8/2013
BAHRAIN yesterday (THURSDAY) dominated the first day of athletics, part of the Third GCC Women’s Games being held in Bahrain.
The nationals took nine medals in total, including four gold, four silver and one bronze, at Khalifa Sports City’s track. Six different contests’ finals took place.
Noora Salem Jassim gave Bahrain its first gold medal of the day by coming on top in the shot put event after throwing 12.69 metres, finishing ahead of UAE’s Maryam Salem and Raghad Ahmed, who were second and third, respectively.
Maryam Al Ansari then bagged another gold for Bahrain, clinching victory in the triple jump with his best attempt being 11.48 metres. She was followed by compatriot Noor Ebrahim, who settled for second position award and Aida Al Balooshi of the UAE was third.
Taj Baba made it three for Bahrain in the 3,000m where as she crossed the finish line first in nine minutes and 46.79 seconds. UAE’s Alya Saeed (9:53:69) came second and Bahrain Ister Tsafi (9:58:34) was third.
In the 800m, Mimi Belete rounded off Bahrain’s gold medal spree after topping the race in just 1.38 seconds, beating another Bahraini Jenzeb Shoumi who could finish second, with Oman’s Samira Hilal coming third.
The Omani athletes notched the 100m and 100m hurdles events. In the 100m, Shanona Saleh raced to victory in the 100m event, where she clocked 12.19 seconds.
Behind her was Hajer Saeed (12.23) of Bahrain in second place, while Oman’s Rasha Mohammed (12.63) rounded off the podium in third place.
The 100m hurdles saw Oman’s Buthayna Eid come on top in 14.59 seconds. She finished ahead of Bahraini Salha Al Lahdan (16.29) and Kuwaiti Salsabil Al Sayyar (16.75), who were second and third, respectively.
Winners were honoured by Bahrain Athletics Association (BAA) president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, in the presence of Bahrain Olympic Committee general secretary Shaikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Executive Committee chairwoman Shaikha Hayat bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa and other BAA officials.
Meanwhile, Bahrain picked up their second successive victory in the basketball tournament, defeating Oman 78-23 in a one-sided match at the Bahrain Disabled Sports Federation gym in Riffa.
Hanin Abdulaziz, the skipper of the Bahrain team, was in outstanding form as she led her country to a well-earned victory. She was well assisted by several other prominent basketball players like Maryam Al Kaabi, Jamila Mohammed, Sumaya Al Hashmi and Dalya Abdulla.
In yesterday’s other basketball game, defending champions Qatar outplayed the UAE 64-29 to share Bahrain the lead in this five-team single round robin competition with four points each from two matches.
Games action continues today, the sixth day of this regional event, with competitions in athletics and volleyball.
In athletics, entrants from five GCC countries will compete in a variety of events, commencing at 4pm. They are 100m hurdles, 400m, 5,000m walk, 100mx4 relay, discus throw and long jump.
Two crucial volleyball matches will also take place today when Bahrain face off with contenders Oman at 7pm.
Having defeated Qatar in straight sets on the tournament’s first day last Wednesday, Bahrain look to take advantage of the support they expect to have from their fans, who played a major part in the team’s impressive performance in their opener.
Early today, defending champions the UAE are favourites to win their second match against Qatar, due to tip off at 5pm.
Oman and Kuwait are temporary sharing the lead in this five-team round robin event with three points, but from two matches, while Bahrain and the UAE have only played one match each.
Qatar is the only team to have lost all hope for the competition’s trophy, having lost in their both matches to the Oman and Bahrain. Both matches are set to take place at the Bahrain Volleyball Association gym in Riffa.
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