The Barzan Youth Centre recently hosted the “Gulf Trails Challenge,” a sporting competition held to mark Gulf Youth Day under the theme “One Promising Gulf Youth.” The event brought together young participants from the six Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) member states, fostering a spirit of unity, brotherhood, and solidarity across the region.

Taking place in Qatar, the challenge consisted of a series of demanding physical activities designed to test competitors’ fitness, speed, endurance, and obstacle navigation, with a focus on completing the tasks in the shortest time possible. The competition emphasized sportsmanship, teamwork, and fair play throughout.

At the conclusion of the event, the Qatari team emerged as the overall winner, followed by Saudi Arabia in second place and Oman securing third. Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Saud al-Thani, vice-chairman of Barzan Youth Centre, highlighted the significance of engaging youth in initiatives like the Gulf Trails Challenge. He described young people as the “true wealth” of the Gulf nations and vital to sustainable development and the region’s future.

Sheikh Abdulaziz noted that the event supports the centre’s mission to empower youth and enhance ties among GCC countries. He also remarked on the importance of Gulf Youth Day as a platform to celebrate young people’s achievements and underscore their role in shaping the region’s development.

Founded in 1994 and affiliated with Qatar’s Ministry of Sports and Youth, the Barzan Youth Centre focuses on cultivating creativity, advancing skills, and deepening cultural awareness and national loyalty among Qatari youth. The centre offers a broad range of programmes, encompassing areas such as water sports, athletics, photography, mind games, digital gaming, camping, and outdoor activities.