Saudi yoga team focus on more success after bagging medals at first international competition

KATHMANDU: Saudi Arabia’s national yoga team are focusing on more success following the Kingdom’s five medals at their first international competition, the side’s president told Arab News on Monday. Saudi Arabia was the only Gulf country participating in the Mt. Everest International Yoga Championship held in Kathmandu last week, competing against South Asian countries more traditionally associated with the practice.

Team member Samaher Al-Malki claimed gold at the tournament, in the 26-35 age group, as India dominated the contest with 11 wins in 12 categories. Nouf Al-Marwaai, president of the Saudi Yoga Committee, told Arab News: “We impressed in the company of teams like India, Nepal, and Bangladesh where the players have practiced yoga since childhood. “So we are really proud and we’re looking for more success.” Saudi team members Badr Al-Ghamdi, Ahmed Shilati and Sarah Al-Amoudi claimed a silver medal, while Joud Abed bagged a bronze.

Al-Maarwai, who has been preparing the team for international competition since 2021, said government support was key to any future success. She said: “We have great support from the Ministry of sport, and the Olympic Committee in Saudi Arabia. When I say support, I mean everything from financial, logistics, and a lot of things.

“We worked hard for the tournament. The government gave us support with three great trainers and we had an entire team with them to support them. We also had a training camp for eight days before the championship.