Mixed fortunes for Bahrain in Sharjah opener

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s teams experienced a mixed start to the eighth Arab Women Sports Tournament yesterday in Sharjah, with moments of promise punctuated by setbacks across the kingdom’s events.

In basketball, Al Hala Women fell 68–55 to Iraq’s Ghaz Al Shamal in their opening Group match. Despite the loss, Bahrain’s representatives stayed competitive for much of the game, keeping the scoreline close against a side strengthened by two professional players. The Bahraini champions showed energy and structure throughout but were unable to close out the contest in the final minutes.

Al Hala will look to rebound today when they face Tunisia’s Al Amal at 11am, a crucial encounter against one of the tournament’s favourites. Basketball remains one of the event’s marquee competitions, with seven clubs from the UAE, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, Tunisia, and Bahrain vying for the title.

The tournament, running from February 2 to 12, features 63 teams from 16 countries competing across nine sports. Bahrain’s delegation of 65 athletes, coaches, and administrators includes four clubs: Al Hala in basketball, Riffa in shooting and archery, Budaiya in taekwondo, and Busaiteen in fencing. The event is organised by Sharjah Women’s Sports under the patronage of Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi.

There were brighter moments for the kingdom as well. Ritaj Araoud secured bronze in the women’s individual foil fencing event yesterday, giving Bahrain its first medal of the tournament and a boost of confidence as other disciplines get underway.

Bahrain’s teams have arrived aiming to replicate their strong 2024 performance, when the kingdom topped the medal table with 13 golds among a 23-medal haul. The athletes’ early showing — close contests and podium finishes alike — reflects both the promise and challenges of competing at a high regional level.

Basketball, archery, and fencing all began yesterday, with shooting scheduled to start on Thursday and taekwondo next Tuesday. Other sports in the programme include athletics, table tennis, rowing, and volleyball, giving Bahrain multiple opportunities to chase further success over the coming days.

Basketball, archery, and fencing have all begun this week, while shooting starts on Thursday and taekwondo next Tuesday. Other sports on the programme include athletics, table tennis, rowing, and volleyball.

Bahrain are seeking to build on a highly successful showing at the previous edition of the tournament in 2024, when they topped the medal table with 13 gold medals as part of a 23-medal haul, underlining the kingdom’s growing stature in women’s sport across the Arab world.