On April 26-28, 2024, the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) hosted the inaugural GCC Youth Games UAE 2024 at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

Along with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), nations of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, State of Kuwait, Sultanate of Oman, and Qatar had representing teams. Winning the Team Gold was UAE and winning the Individual Gold for the 2024 GCC Youth Games was Rayan Ahmed.

Bronze Medal – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (left), Silver Medal – Sultanate of Oman (right), Gold Medal – United Arab Emirates (top), with dignitaries.

Rayan Ahmed, Mohammed Skaik, Rashid Al Jassmy, and Thomas Nesbitt represented the UAE Team and won the Gold Medal. Rayan led the way for Team UAE with rounds of 70-71-73 for a championship total 214, two under par. Mohammad Skaik won the Individual Silver Medal with rounds of 81-77-72, 12 over par total. While rounding out the top three, and securing the clean sweep of the individual medals for the tournament, was Thomas Nesbitt with rounds of 78-78-74, 14 over par.

Winning the Team Silver Medal was the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia won the Bronze medal for the games.

Following the event Vice Chairman, General Abdualla Alhashmi said, “It is always great to bring our brothers from the GCC together to compete. This is a sport that we all love and that we work collectively to try to develop within the region. Of course, we are proud of our team and these accomplishments but more importantly, we look forward to the future of the GCC Nations growing the game of golf. Lastly, I would like to thank our leadership at the United Arab Emirates Olympic Committee for organizing these Youth Games. These platforms will continue to push the next Olympians for the UAE.”

Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, President of the National Olympic Committee, and President of the First Gulf Youth Games, the Higher Committee for the event chaired by Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee, the first GCC Youth Games UAE 2024 will host 3,500 male and female athletes, 36 individual and team sports through 41 sporting competitions during the period from April 16 to May 2.

The slogan for the games “Our Gulf is one . Our youth is promising” expresses the values of respect, equality, and fair play.

Images: Emirates Golf Federation