Bahrain Leads the Region with Fully Local VAR Rollout
Project executed without foreign support, setting a first in the Gulf
The Bahrain Football Association has become the first in the Gulf to implement the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) system entirely through local talent, without relying on foreign expertise.
Project Director Abdulrahman Abdulqader credited the success to strong backing from the country's sports leadership, particularly the full support of HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of the General Sports Authority, and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee.
Abdulqader also thanked BFA President Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Vice President HH Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Khalifa, and Secretary General Rashid Al Zubi, whose confidence and involvement in the project were instrumental from start to finish.
Fully Local Execution
Abdulqader noted that the entire project was executed with national staff, a milestone that sets Bahrain apart regionally. 'This is a proud achievement — the only Gulf federation to carry out VAR with 100% local expertise,' he said.
How VAR Works on Match Day
He explained that preparations begin the day before each match. Coordination involves linking the television broadcast truck, the VAR room, and match officials on the pitch. A referee monitor is installed pitch-side, and a technician from the provider Hawk-Eye is present to ensure system readiness. On match day, work begins six hours before kickoff and includes an IT representative from the Bahrain FA.
Strategic Partnerships and Training
The project was a coordinated effort between the General Sports Authority (as funder and lead), the BFA (operator), production company Flamingo (for filming), and Bahrain TV (for broadcasts). Forty referees (VAR and AVAR) were selected by the Referees Committee and underwent certified theoretical and practical training.
Stadium Selection and AFC Use
Stadiums were chosen based on proximity to broadcast trucks, compliance with FIFA's technical standards, and international accreditation. The AFC also benefited from Bahrain's infrastructure during World Cup qualifiers, with the National Stadium used for official matches.
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