Oman shine on first day of Gulf Championship
SALALAH: Oman claimed top place in the Gulf Tent Pegging Championship in Team Lance pushing Saudi Arabia and Qatar to second and third spot respectively.
The Individual Lance saw Sa’ad bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim of United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Omar bin Said Al Hassani of Royal Cavalry claim golds on the first day’s action after Sheikh Khalid bin Omar Al Marhoon of Minister of Civil Service declared the championship open.
The first day saw four rounds of Individual Lance and two rounds of Team Lance. ROP Cavalry’s Yousuf bin Salim Al Masrooi came second behind his Royal Cavalry’s Omar Al Hassani. Yasser bin Baroot Al Hassani from Cavalry of Sultan of Oman’s Armour claimed the bronze.
In the Gulf competitions, Sa’ad bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim from UAE won the first place, followed by Oman riders Safwan bin Zayed Al Ma’amari and Ali bin Khamis Al Balushi, who finished second and third respectively.
The Team Lance saw Royal Cavalry win first place, Cavalry of Sultan of Oman’s Armour ranked took the second and third places.
Present at the opening ceremony of the event were Sheikh Salim bin Oufait Al Shanfri, Head of Dhofar Municipality, Head of the Organising Committee of Salalah Tourism Festival, Sayyid Munthir bin Saif Al Busaidi, Chairman of Oman Equestrian Federation and other dignitaries.
Teams from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Qatar, in addition to the Royal Cavalry, ROP Cavalry and Cavalry of Sultan of Oman’s Armour are taking part in the championship, which runs till July 30.
Honorary medal
Sheikh Saad bin Mohammed bin Mardhoof Al Saadi, the Minister of Sport Affairs received on Tuesday a honorary medal from Mohammed bin Essa Al Fairuz, the president of the International Tent Pegging Federation (ITPF) for the support the Federation, based in Oman, is receiving from the ministry.
The ITPF also hailed efforts exerted by the Government under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said for supporting sport sector, particularly equestrian sport, which receives care and appreciation.
The ITPF also honoured its former president Princess Haya bint Al Hussain for her services, while she was the head, and also to Hisham Hattab, the president of Egyptian Olympic Committee and the president of African Equestrian Federation, member of the Board of Directors of Tent Pegging International Federation and president of Egypt Equestrian Federation for the services provided for the Federation.