Bahrain Gears Up to Host Asian Youth Games in October
His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of the General Sports Authority, and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, chaired the sixth meeting of the Olympic Committee Board of Directors on Monday.
At the beginning of the meeting, HH Shaikh Khalid warmly welcomed the members and praised the achievements of Bahrain's sports federations during the first half of 2025. He also expressed pride in the 46-year journey of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, highlighting its many successes and contributions to sports in the Kingdom.
During the session, several key topics were discussed. These included the approval of the minutes from the previous meeting, the administrative report for 2024, and updates on Bahrain's international sports participation plans for 2025 and 2026. Preparations for hosting the 3rd Asian Youth Games, scheduled to take place in Bahrain from October 22 to 31, 2025, were also reviewed.
The meeting touched on the Committee's ongoing preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. HH Shaikh Khalid emphasized the importance of training athletes to compete at the highest level and focusing on new sports disciplines to increase Bahrain's chances of winning medals in future editions of the Games.
Additionally, the members reviewed the latest developments regarding the establishment of an International Center of Excellence and a Regional Aquatic Sports Office, in collaboration with GFH Financial Group. They also reflected on Bahrain's successful hosting of the FIBA Congress and Hall of Fame Ceremony held last month.
Progress updates from the Bahrain Olympic Academy were presented, and HH Shaikh Khalid tasked Shaikha Dr. Hessa bint Khalid Al Khalifa, Board Member and Chair of the Gender Equality Committee, with coordinating certified administrative programs with the International Olympic Academy. These initiatives aim to improve the skills of sports administrators in local clubs and federations.
Other discussions included updates on the National Center for Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation and proposed changes to the Olympic Committee's administrative structure.
The Board was also briefed on Bahrain's preparations to host the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) meetings from November 10 to 14, 2025. Discussions were held on supporting Gulf candidates in international sports positions and the approval of the new logo for the GCC Sports Arbitration Authority.
The meeting concluded with the endorsement of the 2024–2028 strategic plan of the Equality Committee, including its vision, mission, and core values. HH Shaikh Khalid wished the committee continued success in its future initiatives.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
18 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Leads the Region with Fully Local VAR Rollout
TDT | Manama 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.
Daily Tribune
a day ago
- Daily Tribune
HH Shaikh Khalid chairs sixth BOC board meeting
HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and President of both the General Sports Authority and Bahrain Olympic Committee, chaired the committee's sixth board meeting yesterday. He began by welcoming board members and praising the achievements of national sports federations in the first half of 2025. He also marked the 46th anniversary of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, highlighting its long track record of sporting success. The meeting approved the minutes of the previous session and the 2024 administrative report. It reviewed Bahrain's external sports participation plans for 2025–2026 and discussed preparations for hosting the 3rd Asian Youth Games, set for October 22–31. Shaikh Khalid also reviewed the Olympic Committee's plans for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, emphasizing athlete development and a focus on new sports to boost Bahrain's medal prospects. The board was briefed on the planned International Center of Excellence and the regional office for aquatic sports, being developed with GFH Financial Group. Finally, they reviewed the outcomes of Bahrain's recent hosting of the FIBA Congress and Hall of Fame ceremony.
Daily Tribune
a day ago
- Daily Tribune
Gaza War Prompts Jordan Boycott
TDT | Manama Jordan has withdrawn from its scheduled FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup match against Israel in a move widely seen as an expression of solidarity with the Palestinian people amid the ongoing war in Gaza. The match was set to take place on Sunday in Switzerland as part of Group C action. However, following discussions between the Jordanian team's technical and administrative staff, the Jordan Basketball Federation (JBF) formally requested to withdraw from the fixture. FIBA confirmed the withdrawal in an official statement, awarding a 20-0 victory to Israel by default in line with tournament rules. The JBF said its decision aligned with the federation's core values and principles. While the statement did not explicitly reference Gaza, Jordanian media outlets and regional commentators made the connection clear. The move quickly gained traction across social media, where users across the Arab world praised Jordan's stance as one of moral clarity. Many described the decision as 'a moral victory greater than any sporting result,' with messages reinforcing that 'the Palestinian cause is indivisible.' Israel's basketball federation expressed disappointment with the outcome. President Amos Frishman said he believes sport should be a bridge between cultures, not a political battleground. The game will not be rescheduled.
