The UAE’s top swimmer Mubarak Al Besher might miss the upcoming Gulf Championships as he continues to recover from a groin injury he picked up last week.

Al Besher sustained the problem during his participation at the World Championships in Kazan and was forced to withdraw from his second event, the 50m breaststroke.

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The 27-year-old flew back to Dubai from Russia and is currently racing against time to be ready for the Gulf Championships which take place from September 1-4 at the Hamad Aquatic Centre in Doha, Qatar.

The UAE squad have been preparing for the Gulf meet in a closed camp in Hungary following their participation in Kazan as well as two Swimming World Cup legs in Moscow and Paris-Chartres, where Mohammed Al Ghaferi won a bronze medal in the 400m individual medley, albeit in race that included just three swimmers.

The Emirati clocked 5:25.69, almost a minute slower than the winner of the race, Hungarian David Verraszto, who won silver in the same event at Worlds in Kazan last week. Al Ghaferi also competed in the 50m backstroke in Paris-Chartres, finishing last in the heats with a 28.64 seconds time.

The Gulf Championships is considered one of the most important meets of the season for the UAE. They hope to top the medals table with Kuwait considered their main rival in the event.