UAE make a big splash at Kuwait event

Dubai: The UAE national swimming team won the second place in the GCC swimming championships (25-metre watercourse) for men and youth, which concluded in Kuwait recently.

The UAE swimmers clinched 41 medals in both categories, men and youth. In the men's events they finished in the second place with 16 medals - three gold, six silver and seven bronze.

Kuwait came first with 30 medals - 16 gold, 12 silver, and two bronze.

Dominated

Qatar finished in the third place with two gold and two bronze. Oman were fourth with three silver and four bronze. Bahrain came fifth with four bronze medals.

Kuwait also dominated the youth category by winning the top place with 52 medals - 27 gold, 15 silver and 10 bronze.

Saudi Arabia were second with 26 medals - seven gold, 10 silver and nine bronze.

The UAE's young swimmers were third with 25 medals - three gold, 12 silver and 10 bronze.

Oman came fourth, Qatar were fifth and Bahrain finished in the sixth and last place.

The UAE coach Je Penier expressed his satisfaction with the swimmers' performance.

He said: "The men's team won the second place for the first time which is a sign of hard work done in recent months.

"I hope this achievement will encourage the UAE swimmers to achieve better results in the coming tournaments."

He said the UAE swimmers will also take part in the world championships to be held in Manchester next month.