Abdullah Wahibi, Head of the Executive Committee of the UAE Water Sports Federation, confirmed that the 30th edition of the GCC Swimming Championship, currently held in Abu Dhabi, marks a historic milestone for the development of aquatic sports in the region, given the significant momentum in terms of organization, participation, and technical level. The GCC Swimming Championship is taking place at the Olympic Pool in Mohammed bin Zayed City with the participation of six Gulf countries and over 200 swimmers. This is one of the largest editions of the championship since its inception, featuring daily competitions in two sessions amid remarkable administrative and public attendance, reflecting Abu Dhabi's readiness to host major sporting events. The championship will conclude this Sunday. Abdullah Wahibi told 'Al Ittihad': 'The most prominent feature of this edition is the participation of girls aged 10 and above for the first time from four Gulf countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain). This step is considered a significant transformation towards supporting the base of young female athletes and empowering Gulf women in water sports, marking the beginning of a developmental path that will offer broader horizons for the sport in the coming years.' Wahibi added: 'The UAE Federation has been keen to provide an ideal environment for all participants, including players, technical staff, and administrative personnel, by providing comprehensive facilities at the Olympic Pool in Mohammed bin Zayed City and ensuring all safety and professional organizational standards to guarantee the tournament meets the standards worthy of Abu Dhabi's status. Moreover, including this young age group will contribute to discovering early talents and creating a new generation capable of competing regionally and internationally.' He noted that the public interaction and the presence of parents gave the competitions a vibrant character and helped boost the morale of the tournament. The UAE achieved a remarkable tally in the first two days, reaching 38 medals, including 19 for the women's team (12 gold, 6 silver, 1 bronze) and 19 for the men's team (10 gold, 5 silver, 4 bronze). Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti men's team secured 33 medals, including 14 gold, the Saudi team collected 32 medals, 10 of which were gold, the Qatari team recorded 15 medals, compared to 11 for Bahrain and 7 for Oman.
