By Abdellatif Sharaa

KUWAIT: Kuwait strengthened its grip on top of the medals table at the Third Gulf Games as it is expected to add to grab more gold medal at the start of Fencing and Karate on Sunday. Meanwhile, UAE National Ice Hockey squad were proclaimed champions of the 3rd Gulf Games Kuwait 2022 on Friday evening.

The Saudi team won the silver medal and the host Kuwait team won the bronze medal. The game, (hosted by Kuwait Winter Games Club), saw the UAE team unbeaten in the three matches, thus securing nine points. The Green squad, of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, secured six points from two wins and one loss. The Blue, of Kuwait, won bronze from one win and two losses, while Bahrain’s team lost their three matches.

President of Kuwait and Arab Tennis Association lauded the excellent organization of the Third Gulf Games. “We are proud to host various competitions. This strengthens relations between brothers,” he said. He said organization is great and everyone is carrying out their role as they should - starting with state institutions including the ministries of Interior, health, and information, volunteers, civil defense, Public Authority for Sport and Kuwait Olympic Committee (KOC).

Tennis

Kuwait defeated Bahrain 3-0. In singles matches, Abdelhameed Mubarak defeated Ali Hassan Abdelredha 6-2/6-0 while Essa Qabazard defeated Yousuf Qaed 6-4/6-2. In the doubles, Qabazard and Bader Antar beat Ashraf Yousuf and Jaber Abdelaal 6-1/6-2. In the other competition, Qatar overpowered UAE 3-0. In the other matches, Rashed Nawaf defeated Abdelrahman Al-Janahi 6-1/6-1; Mousa Shanan beat Ali Al-Janahib 6-3/6-3.

Handball

Kuwait Handball Team will face UAE in the fourth round on Sunday (7:00 pm), while Bahrain will face Saudi Arabia. The second round was played on Thursday - with an exciting draw between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia 26-26. Qatar defeated UAE 29-21 in the same round.

Women Padel

Kuwait Women Padel team won their third game against UAE. UAE’s team won the first match (1-6/6-2/6-1); the second match was won by Kuwait 6-3/6-1 while the deciding match was won by Kuwait 6-3/5-7/6-4. In the other matches, Oman defeated Bahrain 2-1. Meanwhile, in the men’s competitions Qatar defeated UAE 2-1, while Saudi Arabia defeated Bahrain 2-1.