The Saudi Athletics Federation, with support from President Prince Nawaf, are preparing nine Saudi athletes who qualified for the 11th International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Championships in Osaka, Japan, from Aug. 25 to Sept. 2. More athletes could join these nine by the Aug. 13 deadline if they attain the qualification standard. The athletes who have qualified are: Middle distance runner Mohammed Al-Salhi (800m), three long jumpers Muhammad Al-Khuwalidi, Ahmed Marzoug and Hussain Al-Saba, hammer specialist Sultan Al-Hibshi, discus thrower Sultan Al-Dawoudi. Sprinter Yahya Habeeb (100m), Hamdan Al-Bishi (400m) and distance hurdler Ali Al-Amri (3,000m hurdles).
11 Athletes Make World Cup for Youth
Eleven Saudis qualified to compete in the 5th International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Youth Championship to be held in Ostrava, Czech Republic, from July 11 to 15. The Saudi youth squad includes, Yahya Mubarak (100m), Mohammed Al-Shabanat (100m and 200m), Mohammed Ibrahim (100m), Mohammed Saeed (100m), Yousif Al-Meaweid (100m and 200m), Adil Al-Aseeri (200m), Younis Al-Houssah (400m), Hamid Al-Bishi (400m hurdles), Adil Al-Nassir (400m: and 400m hurdles), Ali Al-Deraan (800m) and Imad Nour (1,500m).
Arab Boxing Tourney for Youth
The Saudi boxing national team is now preparing for the Arab Boxing Championship for Youth (under 19) to be held in Cairo on April 10. The team is now undergoing training in Riyadh and around eight boxers would be chosen to present Saudi there, according to Saudi Boxing Federation Technical Committee Member Mohammed Shaya.
Kingdom to Host Swimming Events
According to the Supreme Organizing Committee for the Gulf National Championships, the seventh Gulf Open (Long Distance) Swimming Championship races will be held this year in the Eastern Province at the King Fahd Coastal City. The championship will kick off on April 26. Two races have been set; first the 5 km race for juveniles (under 16) and the second for youth (above 17 years). Ten swimmers would participate from each of the participating countries -- five per race. The participating countries are Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Oman and hosts Saudi Arabia. Saudi swimmers have already turned in fine performances in these events since 1978 when Alawi Makki swam the English Channel in 10 hours and won the first prize in the first International Cross-Channel Swimming race. Swimmers Loay Tashkandi and Mohammed Al-Ghareib will be representing the Kingdom in addition to other eight to be picked after the Saudi Arabia Open Championship.
