Doha: H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Olympic Committee, attended the opening ceremony of the 4th GCC Games in Qatar, which runs from 11 to 22 May 2026. The UAE is represented by 164 athletes competing in 17 sports, with the contingent including 115 men and 49 women.
According to Emirates News Agency, H.H. Sheikh Mansoor expressed the significance of sports as a unifying force among Gulf Cooperation Council countries. He highlighted the UAE's commitment to the Games and extended best wishes to all participants. Sheikh Mansoor also praised Qatar's hosting capabilities, emphasizing its contribution to the global sporting landscape.
The delegation accompanying H.H. Sheikh Mansoor included prominent figures such as Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Faris Mohammed Al Mutawa, Ghanem Mubarak Al Hajeri, and Rashid Abdulrahman Al Ali. Sheikh Mansoor was welcomed upon arrival in Doha by Jassim bin Rashid Al Buainain, Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee. The opening ceremony at Al Shaqab Indoor Arena featured a cultural showcase and an operetta titled 'One Gulf... One Heart.'
Sheikh Ali Jamal bin Nasser Al Nuaimi and Shouq Al Hammadi carried the UAE flag during the ceremony. The UAE athletes are competing in sports such as table tennis, equestrian, swimming, and more, across ten venues including Aspire Dome and Khalifa International Tennis, Squash and Badminton Complex.
Historically, the GCC Games have been a significant event for UAE sports. In the inaugural 2011 edition in Bahrain, the UAE secured fourth place. The 2015 edition in Saudi Arabia marked the UAE's most successful participation, finishing second. In the 2022 Kuwait edition, the UAE ranked third in the medals table.
In the current Games, the UAE volleyball team will face Qatar on 16 May, followed by matches against Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Oman. The handball team will open against Saudi Arabia on 15 May, with competitions held in a round-robin format.