Dubai: The UAE junior tennis teams returned to a warm reception after winning the GCC Tennis Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Under-12 squad - consisting of Majid Bushaqar, Fahad Al Janahi, Abdullah Ahli and Faris Al Janahi - were received at the VIP Majlis at Dubai International Airport by tennis officials Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, Nasser Madani and Zainab Al Ansari.
Their success was increased by Majid Bushaqar being named the best Under-12 player in the championship.
Older brother Rashid Bushaqar lost only to Kuwait's Mohammad Al Shatti during the week to finish second best in the under-16 competition.
"This is a memorable day for us and also the start of a brand new beginning for tennis in the UAE," said Tennis Emirates Vice President, Abdul Rahman Falaknaz.
Hard work
"We have been working hard since the past two years to prepare our boys for this day. This achievement is a result of all the hard work put in by all concerned," added TE board member Nasser Madani.
It was the first time that the UAE Under-12s have won the GCC Championships and they won it in a convincing manner after keeping a clean record during the five days of the championship.
Their toughest test was against Kuwait on Wednesday, but the UAE youngsters kept their poise to defeat the defending champions 2-1.
In their last match on Thursday, the UAE got the better of Oman to end with five wins out of the five.
"Victory was not at all easy especially because the boys were playing in tough conditions in Saudi Arabia," Madani stated.
In the Under-16 competition, defending champions UAE slipped down the standings to end in third place. They beat Oman, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, but lost to Qatar and Kuwait.
But tennis officials were upbeat with the performance as they fielded a completely new side.
"The future definitely looks good as this is the first time ever that we have been on the podium in both competitions," Madani added. The rules of the competition stipulates that each country field four players.
Those playing in the singles were not allowed to participate in the doubles matches.