(With photos) KUWAIT, Feb 24 (KUNA) -- Hours before the conclusion of the five-day Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Men's Gymnastics Championship here Friday, two Arab Gymnastic Federation officials lauded the championship in harnessing the GCC athletes' skills.
"The GCC Championships have undergone major developments in the recent years in terms of organization and athletes levels," Arab Gymnastics Federation Advisor Mohammad Makki told reporters here on the occasion the conclusion of tenth Men's Gymnastics Championship.
"The success of these tournaments has been reflected positively on level of all the Arab athletes and championships," he added.
Makki, also Head of Lebanese Gymnastic Federation, noted that this year's edition of the GCC Gymnastic Championship was characterized by the presence of a considerable number of promising talents, especially those in junior age groups.
"The GCC championships' fierce competition plays an important role in sharpening the athletes' skills," he said.
For his part, former vice-president of the Arab Gymnastics Federation and Head of Tunisian Gymnastics Federation Al-Zamani Faisal shared the same view.
"GCC teams, especially of Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, have made great strides towards excellence in this game," Faisal said, voicing admiration of the level of participating athletes.
The Kuwaiti team is leading the championship after the excellent performance of Kuwaiti athletes particularly in (under 11 years) group.
Kuwaiti athlete Ali Haidar have won five gold medals alone to raise the score of Kuwait to eight gold, three silver and two bronze medals.
Qatar comes second with two gold, two silver and one bronze medals, then Saudi Arabia with one golden, five silver and five bronzes medals.
The five-day Gulf Championships kicked off on Monday, with the absence of Oman out of the six member nations.
The event held under the patronage of President of the Olympic Council of Asia Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al-Sabah, and includes competitions for junior, youth and men levels over six disciplines, namely; floor gymnastics, pommel horse, still rings, the vault, parallel bars and the high bar.
Attending national teams are allowed 24 gymnasts each, and will be officiated by a panel of Gulf-born judges.
Kuwait is the most country to have won the highest number of medals in a single tournament, taken the title on seven occasions, while Saudi Arabia and Qatar trail behind with one apiece. (end) fsa.ysa.ibi KUNA 242015 Feb 12NNNN