Syrian Assistant Minister of Sports and Youth Jamal al-Sharif and Arab Cycling Federation President Yasser al-Duhi opened the Arab Championship in Damascus on 4 October 2026. The Syrian Arab News Agency, or SANA, reported that teams from 13 Arab countries are competing in Damascus and surrounding areas.
The Arab Cycling and Para-Cycling Championships returned to Syria after an approximately 19-year break.
Junior silver after a setback
Jordan won the 22.7-kilometre junior event in 29 minutes 58 seconds. The UAE finished in 30 minutes 31 seconds for silver, ahead of Syria at 33 minutes 53 seconds. One UAE junior rider fell during the race. The team still secured second place. SANA reported the same top-three order: Jordan, the UAE and Syria.
In the junior individual time trial, UAE riders took the first two places: Falah al-Nuaimi won, Ali al-Balushi finished second, and Jordan's Abd al-Rahman Shuman was third.
Two medals to start
The championship runs in Syria through 13 October. UAE rider Saif al-Ghawi won silver in the youth individual time trial in 26:17.409, according to Al Bilad Press. Bahrain's Abdelaziz al-Hamri took gold in 25:33.607. Syria's Muhammad Ghassan Qadmani earned bronze in 27:01.951. More racing lies ahead.
SANA reported that junior individual time-trial winner Falah al-Nuaimi was pleased with his victory. He praised the quality of the approved courses and said the result should motivate him ahead of future Asian competitions.
The opening races brought the UAE gold for the youth team and silver for the juniors. Both medals came in team time trials.
Still early days. The UAE has already won two medals across its six categories. The junior team reached the podium despite a rider's fall.
