Abu dhabi: The national athletics team of the UAE concluded its participation in the 22nd Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Hong Kong, finishing fourth overall among 30 participating countries. The team achieved this commendable position by winning a total of six medals, which included five gold and one bronze. The championships took place from the 28th to the 31st of May.
According to Emirates News Agency, China dominated the overall standings with an impressive haul of 25 medals, comprising 14 gold, 9 silver, and 2 bronze. India secured the second position with 18 medals, achieving 9 gold, 5 silver, and 4 bronze, while Japan followed closely in third place with 17 medals, including 5 gold, 5 silver, and 7 bronze.
Major General Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al Mur, President of the UAE Athletics Federation, acknowledged the fourth-place finish as a significant achievement against numerous strong and well-established athletics nations in Asia. He highlighted the UAE team's participation with a modest group of 10 male and female athletes, competing against some of the continent's top young talents. This, he noted, underscores the effectiveness of the federation's preparation and development programs in nurturing national talents capable of competing at high levels.
Dr. Al Mur further stated that this result is a valuable addition to the federation's ongoing efforts to bolster its developmental and competitive strategy in international championships. This strategy follows a progressive pathway starting with Gulf and Arab competitions, advancing to continental events, and aiming for greater accomplishments in the future.
The federation president extended his congratulations to the medal winners for their dedication and commitment, which enabled them to raise the UAE flag on the podium. He also praised the technical performances of the entire national team throughout the championship.