Saudi Arabia is hosting the 27th edition of the Gulf Cooperation Council Golf Championship for men and the 16th edition for youth, which officially kicked off today, Sunday, at the Royal Greens Club in Jeddah, with the participation of elite golfers from various Gulf countries. The championship features teams representing the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, namely the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, where players compete for the title in a competitive atmosphere that reflects the development of golf in the region.
The organization of this championship coincides with the Kingdom’s celebrations of Founding Day, adding a distinctive national dimension to the event, as it combines sports competition with the celebration of the Kingdom’s rich history and its achievements in various fields, including the sports sector, which is witnessing significant leaps that enhance the Kingdom’s position on both regional and international levels. The official opening ceremony of the championship was attended by several sports figures and officials from the Saudi Golf Federation and the Gulf federations, along with a selection of players and fans. The ceremony featured traditional performance shows, in addition to the entrance ceremonies of the participating teams, where each team raised its national flag amidst a celebratory atmosphere reflecting the spirit of Gulf unity.
In her opening speech, the Director of the Saudi Golf Federation Office, Ms. Abeer Al-Juhani, emphasized the importance of the championship coinciding with the Kingdom’s celebrations of Founding Day, which enhances sports cooperation among Gulf countries. She pointed out that hosting this event reflects the significant development that golf is witnessing locally and regionally, and its role in establishing the region’s position on the global golf map.
She added: “Today, we are not only celebrating the launch of the Gulf Cooperation Council Golf Championship, but we are also reaffirming the Kingdom’s continuous commitment to developing this sport both locally and internationally, by supporting emerging talents, hosting major tournaments, and working to instill a golf culture among future generations. This championship is not just a sporting event; it is a platform that strengthens the bonds of brotherhood and fair competition among the people of the Gulf.” The championship features distinguished players representing the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, with each team participating with a group of the most prominent golf stars in the men’s and youth categories, under the supervision of a select group of coaches and administrators.
The Oman national team is represented by Izzan Al-Ramahi, Ahmed Al-Wahibi, Amjad Al-Touqi, and Badr Al-Amri in the men’s category, while the youth category includes Mahir Samat, Adam Al-Browani, and Branch Jagwani, under the leadership of coach Alexander Stephen, with Ahmed Al-Jahdami heading the delegation. The Kuwait national team is represented by Mishari Al-Zamanan, Ali Al-Ansari, Fahad Al-Zouman, and Adam Al-Shamali in the men’s category, while the youth category includes Salem Al-Abkal, Badr Al-Ansari, and Jassim Al-Radhaan, under the leadership of coach David Holan, with Ramzi Al-Shamali heading the delegation.
While the Qatari team competes with its distinguished players in the men’s category, namely Saleh Al-Kaabi, Ali Al-Shahrani, Daniel Sokolov, and Abdulrahman Al-Shahrani, the youth category is represented by Kamil Ibn Raqia, Abdullah Al-Muhannadi, and Rashid Al-Mansoori, under the supervision of coach Hassan Ibn Raqia and the delegation head Mohamed Al-Muhannadi. From the Kingdom of Bahrain, the men’s category is represented by Khalifa Mohammed Khalifa, Khalifa Al-Kaabi, Ali Al-Kuwari, and Yassine Lafalher, while the youth category is represented by Khaled Shah, Youssef Shah, and Yaqoub Rahma, led by delegation head Daij Al-Eid.
The UAE national team is competing with a group of prominent names in the men’s category, such as Ahmed Sakeek, Syed Rayan Ahmed, Sam Molani, and Jonathan Selvaraj, while the youth category is represented by Abdullah Kalbat, Abdullah Salmeen, and Mohammed Thabet, under the supervision of coach Faisal Al-Sarghini and the delegation head Abdullah Al-Hashimi. As the host of the championship, the Saudi national team is participating with its players in the men’s category, including Prince Khalid bin Saud bin Faisal Al Saud, Khalid Al-Qunaibet, Ali Al-Sakhi, and Ali Babatin, while the youth category is represented by Abdulrahman Al-Rashed and Al-Waleed Al-Haisouni, continuing the Saudi team’s pursuit of new achievements on home soil and among its fans.
The tournament is scheduled to continue over several days, where players will compete in a highly competitive atmosphere, striving to achieve top positions and titles. The tournament is also an important opportunity to discover young talents in the sport of golf and to enhance the Gulf presence on the international stage, contributing to the development of this sport at the regional level.
