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Daily Tribune
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain's Aquatic Sports Federation Marks 50 Years of Excellence
The Bahrain Aquatic Sports Federation celebrated its 50th anniversary—its Golden Jubilee—with a heartfelt and proud ceremony held at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre. The event was held under the patronage of 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. The celebration brought together royal guests, dignitaries, pioneers, founding members, and supporters of the federation, who gathered to honor five decades of progress, passion, and sporting excellence. Speaking at the event, HH Shaikh Khalid expressed his pride in the federation's achievements, calling it one of the leading sports bodies in the Kingdom of Bahrain. 'Today, we celebrate 50 years of dedication and distinction. Since its establishment in 1974 as the Bahrain Swimming Federation, and its evolution into the Bahrain Aquatic Sports Federation in 2024 to align with international regulations, this federation has become a key part of Bahrain's sports journey,' he said. 'The accomplishments over these years are a source of pride for all Bahrainis and reflect the tireless efforts of everyone involved—from past leaders to current athletes. This milestone is not just a celebration of the past, but a motivator for future growth, positioning Bahrain even more strongly in the regional and global aquatic sports arena,' His Highness added. HH Shaikh Khalid also thanked all those who contributed to the federation's success over the years, including former presidents, administrators, coaches, and athletes. He encouraged continued teamwork to build on the momentum and achieve even greater success. The evening featured the unveiling of the federation's new logo, a speech by Dr. Abdulrahman Sadiq Askar, CEO of the General Sports Authority, and a documentary film highlighting the federation's journey. Federation President Abdullah Atiya also addressed the audience, followed by the official launch of the federation's new website. The event concluded with the honoring of past presidents, former swimming champions, sponsors, and contributors. A commemorative gift was presented to HH Shaikh Khalid in appreciation of his support. The celebration ended with a memorable group photo featuring HH Shaikh Khalid, the federation's board members, champions of the 29th GCC Swimming Championship, and veteran athletes.
Arab Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwait U-16 team misses out on Asian Cup spot after loss to Saudi Arabia
MANAMA, July 13: The Kuwait junior basketball team finished in third place at the Gulf Under-16 Basketball Championship after falling to Saudi Arabia 73-50 in the final round. The tournament concluded at Zain Hall in Umm Al Hassam, Bahrain. With this result, Kuwait narrowly missed qualification for the 2025 Asian Cup Finals in Mongolia, which was secured by the top two teams—champion Bahrain and runners-up Saudi Arabia. The Bahraini team dominated the tournament, winning all four of its matches to top the standings with 8 points. Saudi Arabia followed with 7 points to claim the second qualifying spot. Kuwait, known as the "Blue Youth," finished third with 6 points, followed by the UAE (5 points) and Oman (4 points). Kuwait had a promising start with a win over the UAE in their opening match, but suffered a setback in the second round against Bahrain. A victory over Oman in the third round kept their hopes alive, but the decisive loss to Saudi Arabia in the final round ended their qualification campaign. The championship highlighted Bahrain's commanding form, winning every match by a wide margin. Saudi Arabia also impressed, earning a well-deserved spot in the Asian Cup Finals. For Kuwait, the tournament exposed the need for further development to remain competitive in future regional and continental competitions. At the closing ceremony, Sheikh 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—joined Kuwaiti Basketball Association President Dhari Barjas and several Gulf federation officials in awarding the top three teams.
Biz Bahrain
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Biz Bahrain
HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad crowns Bahrain champions of Gulf U-16 Championship
His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, Chairman of the General Sports Authority, and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, crowned Bahrain's national under-16 basketball team champions of the Gulf U-16 Basketball Championship, which concluded today at Zain Basketball Arena in Um Al Hassam. His Highness attended the final day of the championship, which also served as a qualifier for the U-16 Asian Championship, alongside His Highness Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Vice President of the General Sports Authority; His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, Vice President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee; Dr. Abdulrahman Sadiq Askar, Chief Executive Officer of the General Sports Authority; Alaa Mudara, President of the Bahrain Basketball Association; as well as a number of senior sports officials and representatives of participating GCC delegations. Bahrain secured the title after achieving a perfect record throughout the tournament, winning all its matches and confirming its qualification for the upcoming FIBA U-16 Asian Championship, scheduled to take place in Mongolia this September. His Highness Shaikh Khalid presented the national team with the championship trophy and gold medals at the conclusion of a tournament marked by strong fan attendance and high level regional participation. On this occasion, His Highness expressed pride in the team's accomplishment, which marked Bahrain's sixth title in the history of the competition. He commended the players for their strong performance, discipline, and determination, underscoring the efforts of the coaching and administrative staff in preparing the team. His Highness congratulated the players on their well earned achievement, noting that their performance reflects the capabilities of Bahrain's promising youth in the sports sector and highlights the Kingdom's progress in developing future generations of athletes capable of representing the nation with distinction at international events. His Highness also commended the Bahrain Basketball Association for its continued work in advancing the sport across all levels, particularly within the youth category, which serves as the foundation for sustained development. He emphasised the commitment of the General Sports Authority and the Bahrain Olympic Committee to supporting national teams in all disciplines, stressing the importance of ongoing development efforts to achieve further success for the Kingdom of Bahrain. BNA(R)
Daily Tribune
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain's First Regional Aquatic Excellence Centre Takes Shape: A New Chapter for Water Sports
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, affirmed that Bahrain is taking a major leap in aquatic sports with the upcoming International Centre of Excellence and Regional Office for Aquatic Sports. During a visit to the project site at the University of Technology Bahrain (UTB), His Highness said the center — a joint effort between World Aquatics and GFH Group — is the first of its kind in the region. The facility aims to elevate aquatic sports and nurture future champions through its state-of-the-art infrastructure designed to support sustainable athletic development. Accompanied by several top sports officials including HH Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and HH Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, His Highness toured the site, which is currently about 60% complete. He inspected the Olympic-sized swimming pool, player facilities, and other key areas dedicated to various aquatic sports. The delegation also received a briefing on the final stages of construction and the university's readiness to host the first group of international aquatic students in the upcoming academic year. Shaikh Khalid emphasized that the center is not just a significant addition to Bahrain's sports infrastructure but also strengthens the Kingdom's role as a regional hub for aquatic disciplines. He highlighted how the project showcases a successful partnership between the private sector and national sports institutions, promoting investment in athletic facilities that support talent development and open doors for growth and achievement. He called for the acceleration of the project to ensure it provides an ideal training environment for water sport athletes both from Bahrain and abroad.
Daily Tribune
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Revitalized Khalifa Pool Sets New Standard for Aquatic Sports in Bahrain
TDT | Manama 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, emphasized the critical role of sports facilities in strengthening Bahrain's sports infrastructure. He noted that such facilities are foundational for nurturing athletic talent, enhancing training environments, and hosting major sporting events. His Highness made the remarks during a visit today to inspect the final stages of renovation at the Khalifa Sports City swimming pool. He was accompanied by His Highness Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Vice President of the General Sports Authority; His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, Vice President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee; Dr. Abdulrahman Sadiq Askar, CEO of the General Sports Authority; Fares Mustafa Al Kooheji, Secretary-General of the Bahrain Olympic Committee; and other officials. HH Shaikh Khalid toured all areas of the facility, which has undergone significant upgrades carried out by the General Sports Authority. These enhancements include expanded seating capacity for spectators, upgraded auxiliary facilities, advanced water filtration systems, and a newly installed air conditioning system to ensure the pool meets the latest international standards. The aim is to create an ideal environment for swimmers, coaches, administrators, and fans. His Highness stressed the importance of ongoing maintenance and modernization of sports venues to meet the evolving needs of Bahrain's sports community. He highlighted the popularity of swimming among citizens, residents, parents, and national athletes, underlining the commitment of the General Sports Authority to provide world-class facilities for clubs and national teams. HH Shaikh Khalid reaffirmed the Authority's commitment to sustaining and improving Bahrain's sports infrastructure, ensuring it supports high performance and future ambitions in the Kingdom's sporting journey.
