While most of the country’s sporting focus has understandably been on Bahrain’s medal heroics at the Rio Olympics over the last few weeks, two other athletes have been quietly flying their flag on the world stage.
Hassan Abbas and Dareen Al Saad made history in being selected to represent the respective Middle East Ladies and Men’s teams in the international competition at the second annual GAA World Games in Dublin earlier this month, despite having only witnessed their first games of Gaelic football through the Arabian Celts GAA Club in 2014.
Since getting involved in the annual, intra-club Champions League tournament two years ago, Abbas has gone on to play for both the Legends and All Stars teams in Middle East competition and in fact, was making his second representative appearance for the region, after starring in last year’s inaugural event.
The defender – the only member of the squad from outside the Oman GAA club – and his team had a tough time in the highly-competitive Men’s International competition and eventually lost out to Canada in the Plate semi-final after a lively and eventful contest.
Former rugby player Al Saad, meanwhile, stumbled upon the sport at Bahrain RFC two season ago and, since then, has developed into one of the core members of the Arabian Celts Ladies squad, becoming one of the first Bahraini females – alongside close friend Ghadeer Al Sayed – to represent the club in a full Sperrin Metal Middle East League tournament in Al Ain back in January.
Like most of the other Middle East teams, the international ladies side enjoyed a great start on day one – qualifying for the main cup competition – before struggling in the conditions of round two. A superb victory over South Africa in the Plate semi-final set-up a third tilt at a strong Europe outfit but they come up just short despite a spirited display.