Curtain comes down on Women’s games

Manama : A colourful and joyful closing ceremony brought the Fifth GCC Women’s Games to a close in Doha, Qatar last night after 11 days of inspirational athletic performances in spectacular fashion at Aspire Dome with music and dances.
More than 890 athletes and technical teams four countries – Bahrain, the UAE, Oman and host country Qatar competed in 10 different games in this year’s regional women’s sporting fiesta.
Bahrain’s delegation, who were crowned overall champions in the last two editions of the games in Manama (2013) and Muscat (2015), had to settle for second place this time with 42 medals in total (14 gold, 18 silver, 10 bronze).
Host nation Qatar dominated much of the games, securing the basketball title on the concluding day of the games with an easy 53-39 win over the UAE, who took the competition’s bronze.
The Qataris topped the medal table with 60 medals (21 gold, 20 silver, 19 bronze). The UAE were third overall totaling 32 medals (12, 8, 12), while Oman finished last with 36 medals (10, 9, 17).
Last night’s closing ceremony was held under the patronage of organising committee chairman Thani Al Kuwari, who honoured the top three teams of the games.
It was also witnessed by Supreme Council for Youth and Sports Deputy General Secretary and Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) board member, Women’s Sport Committee chairwoman and delegation head Shaikha Hayat bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa, GCC Women’s Organising Committee chairwoman Shaikha Naima Al Ahmed Al Sabah and other high-ranking officials. During the final day of the games, it was confirmed that Kuwait will host the next games in 2019.
Bahrain sent eight teams to compete in basketball, handball, volleyball, bowling, table tennis, taekwondo, fencing and shooting, most of whom have already come home after their respective competitions.

Final medal standings

(gold, silver, bronze, total):
1) Qatar     (21-20-19-60)
2) Bahrain     (14-18-10-42)
3) UAE     (12-8-12-32)
4) Oman     (10-9-17-36)