Bahrain Strike Double Gold in Handball and Volleyball

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain enjoyed a sensational seventh day at the GCC Games in Doha yesterday, with gold medal victories in handball and volleyball leading the way, as the Kingdom continued to strengthen its position in the overall standings. There were also further podium finishes in shooting, where Bahrain added two silver medals and three bronze medals at the Lusail Shooting Range, alongside participation in padel at the Aspire Dome.

The standout performance came in the men’s handball competition, where Bahrain defeated hosts and long-time rivals Qatar 24–19 at the Aspire Women’s Sports Hall to secure gold. Coached by Sweden’s Robert Hedin, Bahrain produced a disciplined performance to claim their second GCC Games handball gold, following their previous title on home soil in 2011. They have also earned silver medals in 2015 and 2022.

Qatar made the brighter start and opened the scoring, but Bahrain quickly responded when Jassim Khamis levelled from the wing. Ahmed Khadem then gave Bahrain a 4–3 lead on the break, before captain Hussain Al Sayyad took increasing control of the contest. His long-range strike made it 6–4, and he added another from the left wing as Bahrain moved 11–8 ahead, eventually taking a 13–10 lead into half-time.

After the restart, Bahrain maintained their intensity. Al Sayyad continued to dictate play, extending the lead to 15–11 despite Bahrain being reduced to a man down. He struck again to make it 20–15, and Bahrain stayed firmly in control to close out a 24–19 victory. The result added to Bahrain’s recent success after defeating the same opponents to win the Asian championship earlier this year, and it also strengthens their momentum ahead of next year’s World Championship campaign.

In the dressing room after the match, Bahrain Handball Federation President Ali Mohamed Isa Eshaqi told the players: “You have delivered a performance worthy of gold, and nothing less reflects the standard of this team.” Captain Hussain Al Sayyad said: “I am proud to play with you guys.” Goalkeeper Mohammed Abulhussain added: “It is not easy to win gold in consecutive tournaments, but we have done it.”

Bahrain national football team goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfalla was also present in support as the national side prepares to face the UAE in their final match tomorrow, having already secured their tournament objectives.

In volleyball, Bahrain’s men’s national team secured gold with a straight-sets victory over Qatar at Duhail Sports Hall, winning 25–21, 27–25, 25–23. The result marked a strong start for Montenegrin head coach Ivan Joksimovic in his first tournament in charge, continuing the momentum established under former coach Arnaud Josserand.

In shooting at the Lusail Shooting Range, Bahrain finished with five medals in total, comprising two silver and three bronze. Mohamed Zaman won silver in the men’s 10m air pistol final with a score of 229.7, while the Bahrain women’s 10m air pistol team also secured silver. The bronze medals were claimed by Marwa Buarki in the women’s trap final with 102, the women’s trap team with a score of 298 in the 75 targets event, and Aysha Albraiki in the women’s 10m air pistol final with 209.2.

The Kingdom’s representatives will now look to build on its impressive medal haul as the Games continue in Doha until May 22.