RIYADH, 29 October 2007 — Saudi Arabia’s 35-member squad clinched four gold medals and a bronze medal during its campaign in the Military World Games that the Indian cities of Hyderabad and Mumbai hosted. This high-profile event, hosted by India for the first time, was organized by the Brussels-based Counseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM), the only military sports body recognized by the International Olympic Committee.
“The aim of CISM is to develop friendly relations between the armed forces of member nations, promote physical education and sports activities among military personnel, and contribute to the international effort for peace,” said Saleh Mohammed Al-Ghamdi, Saudi ambassador to India, while giving details about the Saudi participation, in a telephone interview. Al-Ghamdi attended the closing ceremony of the games in Hyderabad early this week.
Referring to the Saudi participation led by Brig. Hussain Al-Yami, the ambassador said that “the Saudi team won a total of four gold medals and one bronze in the athletics competitions — one gold in 400-meter hurdles race, another gold in 800 meters and a third one in jumping competition. The fourth gold won by the Kingdom was in 4x400 relay race, while the bronze medal was in 4x400 relay race, he said.
Al-Ghamdi hosted a dinner at the Hyderabad-based Hotel Sheraton to celebrate the excellent performance of the Saudi team on Saturday. The reception was attended by a large number of Saudi and Indian officials including the members of the Saudi team as well as by Mohammad Ali Shabbir, minister of Islamic Affairs, Energy & Information in the provincial government of Andhra Pradesh, India.
Of the military games, the Saudi diplomat said that the grand finale showcasing a blend of tradition and modernity marked the conclusion of the weeklong sporting extravaganza--the Fourth CISM Military World Games. Indian Minister of Defense A. K. Antony declared the games closed at the GMC Balayogi stadium in Hyderabad. The closing ceremony was a four-hour show in a festive atmosphere.
The Military World Games was the biggest international multi-sport event of the year, with the theme 'Friendship Through Sport'. Russia emerged on top of the medal tally with 42 gold, 26 silver and 28 bronze medals. Delegates from 103 countries including Saudi Arabia participated in the event. A total of 4,588 players including 818 women participants, took part in what could be the biggest gathering of athletets, next only to the Olympics.
