The GCC Ministerial Committee for Youth Affairs and Sports held the 32nd meeting on Wednesday, 10 April 2019, in Muscat, Oman. The meeting was chaired by, HE Sheikh Sheikh Sa'ad bin Mohammed Al Mardhouf, Oman's Minister of Sports Affairs, chairman of the committee, with the participation of their Highnesses and Excellencies the GCC secretaries for Youth and Sports Affairs, and HE Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

In his opening speech, HE Sheikh Sheikh Sa'ad bin Mohammed Al Mardhouf, Oman's Minister of Sports Affairs, said that this meeting comes to continue the efforts exerted to strengthen the GCC joint work in all fields of sports and youth Affairs, implementing their Majesties and Highnesses, leaders of the GCC States directives to empower the GCC youth in all sectors, meet their aspirations, and help them achieve more accomplishments in international forums.

In his speech, HE Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council expressed his deep congratulations to the Kingdom of Bahrain and to the Council's members in general, on the occasion of electing HE Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa as the President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for the second time, wishing him all the best, and praised the spirit of solidarity among the GCC states that was manifested in such a beautiful way for accomplishing this Gulf achievement at a continental level.

The Secretary-General stressed the high importance their Majesties and Highnesses, leaders of the GCC States attach to the youth and sports sector, for what it represents as a pivotal role in achieving the desired development goals, and their keenness to continuously meet the hopes and aspirations of the GCC youth, and provides an environment that motivates them to create, innovate and excelled.

He said that the achievements made in this important sector are a source of pride for all the GCC citizens, and a place of appreciation and admiration by the friendly countries, referring to the GGC sports facilities, which he described as evidence of the efforts exerted by the GCC governments, and the budgets they allocated to provide a suitable sports environment to showcase the GCC youth abilities in all fields of sports, in addition to the achievements the GCC youth have made in various continental and international forums.

Dr. Al-Zayani commended the distinguished role the GCC Ministerial Committee has in developing plans and ambitious projects to alleviate the level of sports services and facilities in the GCC States, and their ongoing efforts to enhance the cooperation and integration among the GCC States, pointing out the forums and cultural events the  Ministerial Committee has organized that aim to immunize the youth and protect them from destructive ideas that target their religious beliefs, national unity and social fabric.

The Secretary-General stated that the GCC Secretariat has organized several youth workshops that resulted with 236 recommendations in which the relevant ministerial committees took the procedures and decisions needed to implement and fulfill the aspirations of the GCC youth. He expressed his pride in what resulted in these meetings with the youth of their awareness and keenness in all that serves the interest of their countries, calling to adopt a joint strategic vision that provide the GCC youth with a suitable environment that encourage them to  participate in national development and youth entrepreneurship.

Dr. Al-Zayani also pointed out that the GCC Secretariat is in the process of launching the "GCC RECORDS" which will monitor and document the achievements of GCC citizens, especially its youth in  Cultural, intellectual, sports and social activities in order to motivate them to excel and succeed, as well as strengthening the GCC regional and international standing.

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