Doha: The UAE has assured themselves of winning a bronze medal in tennis after beating Libya 3-0 yesterday to face Kuwait in the last match of the preliminary round of the second group in Arab Games tomorrow. The winners of the two groups will face each other in the final for the gold medal while the two losers will win a bronze medal each.
The UAE defeated Libya 3-0 yesterday with Omar Behroozian defeating Salem Mohammad 6-1, 6-0 and Hamad Abbass Al Janahi beating Hosam Al Madhouni 6-1, 6-2 while the UAE pair won the doubles 6-2,6-0 to continue their leadership of the group. The UAE have earlier defeated all the other teams in the group: Qatar, Sudan, Iraq and Libya.
"Our players have attracted the attention of the spectators with their performances, determination and consistency, despite securing a medal, but they are determined to continue their winning streak and play for the gold," Slah Bramley, the team's manager, said yesterday after the match which was attended by Yousuf Al Sarkal, the First Vice President of the UAE NOC and Ebrahim Abdul Malek, Secretary General of the General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare.
"We the players and administrators, want to win a gold medal to present to our country on the occasion of the 40th National Day," Bramley added. "Both Omar and Hamad have continued training after their match against Libya and did not take a rest because they are keen to be at their best shape against Kuwait to feature in the final match of the competition."
The UAE teams of bowling, judo and table tennis, meanwhile, will enter the competition today. The bowlers will enter the singles competition with high hopes pinned on former World Cup winner Mohammad Khalifa Al Qubaisi, former Asian champion Shaker Ali and former Arab champion Nayef Ogab in addition to promising youngsters Sayed Ebrahim, Hussain Al Suwaidi and Mahmoud Al Attar.
