Doha: The Organising Committee of the 4th GCC Games – Doha 2026 held the official draw ceremony for team sports competitions on Thursday using advanced virtual communication technology.
The ceremony, staged at Lusail Hall at the Qatar Olympic Committee headquarters, brought together heads of delegations from GCC nations and drew significant media attention, underlining the importance of the event.
Addressing the gathering, Head of the Sports Committee Mohammed Issa Al-Fadala welcomed participants and media representatives, noting that the ceremony forms part of ongoing preparations and coordination efforts to ensure the competitions are delivered to the highest technical and organisational standards.
He said the step reflects continued cooperation between the Organising Committee and GCC Olympic Committees, enhancing readiness for what is expected to be a distinguished edition of the Games. Al-Fadala also emphasised the role of sport in strengthening unity and solidarity among GCC countries, highlighting shared values of brotherhood and fair play. He expressed confidence that the draw would set the stage for competitive and exciting contests during the Games, scheduled from May 11 to 22, 2026.
The handball draw was conducted by Handball Competition Manager Hamad Misfer Al Nuaimi in line with international regulations, with participation from host nation Qatar, alongside Bahrain, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, the volleyball draw was overseen by Volleyball Competition Manager Yousef Kano, with the assistance of former players Saeed Al Hatmi and Ali Ishaq, also following international standards, and featuring all six GCC national teams.
The fourth edition of the Games will see elite athletes from across the GCC compete in 19 sports, including athletics, swimming, basketball (5×5 and 3×3), volleyball, handball, padel, fencing, boxing, taekwondo, karate, squash, table tennis, equestrian, shooting, archery, bowling, and billiards and snooker.
Competitions will be staged across 10 venues, including Aspire Dome, Qatar Sports Club, Khalifa International Tennis, Squash and Badminton Complex, Lusail Shooting Range and Al Gharafa Sports Club, among other leading facilities.
The GCC Games were first held in Manama, Bahrain, in 2011, featuring six nations and around 1,500 athletes competing in 11 sports, with Qatar finishing third. The second edition took place in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, in 2015, with nearly 1,500 athletes across 15 sports, where Qatar again secured third place.
The most recent edition was hosted by Kuwait City in 2022, with more than 1,500 athletes competing in 16 sports. Qatar finished fifth overall with 52 medals.
