Deputy King attends 2017 WAHO conference opening ceremony

Manama, Feb. 9(BNA): HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister welcomed the selection of the Kingdom of Bahrain to host the World Arabian Horse Organisation (WAHO) Conference, which affirms the Organisation’s appreciation to the Kingdom’s interest and role in preserving purebred Arabian horses, and making it a part of the historical and traditional identity established by the forefathers and the fathers of the Rulers of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the continuation by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain in maintaining Bahrain’s purebred horses and their purity through authentic strains in the Royal Studs. This came during HRH’s presence on the opening day of the WAHO Conference, which is held under the patronage of His Majesty the King, and attended by members of the Royal Family, senior officials, dignitaries and guests. During the event, HRH the Crown Prince conveyed the greetings of His Majesty the King to the President and members of WAHO and all the participants in the conference, and His Majesty’s best wishes of success to all the participants in the event. HRH the Crown Prince commended the good efforts made by the High Organising Committee under the Chairmanship of HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, in the preparation and organisation of the Conference and includes programmes and activities aimed at shedding light on Bahrain’s purebred Arabian horses and their beauty. HRH the Crown Prince praised WAHO’s goals and efforts and keenness to follow up on strains of purebred Arabian horses and ensuring their purity, noting the cooperation that exists between the Kingdom of Bahrain and WAHO. Moreover, General Secretary of WAHO Jenny Lees gave a speech during which she presented the most important characteristics of the Bahraini purebred horses, and the great attention given by stable owners to these horses. She noted the prestigious place that purebred Bahraini horses occupy among the horses of the world due to their quality and authenticity, known to horse enthusiasts around the world. Furthermore, Mr. Peter Bond, President of WAHO also gave a speech in which he expressed his gratitude to the Kingdom of Bahrain for hosting the conference, where the Organisation members meet in the Kingdom after nearly 20 years since the last one held in 1998. He extended his thanks to His Majesty the King for his support of the Organisation. He also expressed his appreciation to HRH the Crown Prince for attending the opening ceremony of the Conference, praising His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa for the organisation and preparation for the Conference. Shaikh Khalifa bin Daij: Hosting translates Bahrain's position Shaikh Khalifa bin Daij bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince's Court President, confirmed that holding the WAHO Conference emphasises the prominent place occupied by the Kingdom, and its vital role in this field, praising the Royal Patronage of the event and the attention given by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, by gracing the opening ceremony, which took place amid a large international presence. Pond: WAHO is One International United Family For his part, President of WAHO, Australian Mr. Peter Pond affirmed that WAHO has become today one united family composed of many countries that have been loyal to the purebred Arabian horses. He also highlighted the active and broad role of the Organisation worldwide. "Today we are gathering in the Kingdom of Bahrain in this Conference, which is patronised by HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and this Royal support has made us very happy as it represents a historical addition and an important twist towards making this event a tremendous success as well as to enable it to bring out the expected results and live up to the wide expectations surrounding it to allow WAHO to maintain its march," Mr. Pond said. The President of WAHO concluded his remarks by thanking HRH the Crown Prince, extending appreciation to HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, son of the Crown Prince, for HH’s attention and hospitality. "This has given us a great motivation to accomplish many tasks that would eventually contribute towards preserving and protecting the purebred Arabian horses," Abdullah bin Rashid: A Popular and Genuine Bahraini Heritage For his part, Governor of the Southern Governorate HE Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa underlined that hosting this Conference of great importance confirms the leading position of Bahrain in attracting major international events, praising the wise leadership’s enormous role in bringing the WAHO Conference to Bahrain as well as the Royal patronage to the event. He stated that the purebred Arabian horses represent a historical part of the genuine Bahraini heritage, customs and traditions throughout history, adding: "Protecting and preserving the purebred Arabian horses translates our wise leadership’s vision to maintain this important heritage as Bahrain is one of the leading countries in this area." "We in the Southern Governorate have allotted broad spaces in line with efforts directed towards preserving the purebred Arabian horses," HE Shaikh Abdullah added. Jenny Lees: Bahraini horses have very deep historical roots General Secretary of WAHO Jenny Lees, delivered a speech during the Conference, in which she highlighted the history of the Bahraini purebred Arabian horses. "The first time I visited Bahrain was back in the sixties of the last century. I have been witnessing the interest and attention of Bahrain’s Royal Family to the purebred Arabian horses, as Bahrain is in the forefront among countries playing an important role in enhancing production and strains," she said, extending sincere appreciation to HM the King for his constant support to the purebred Arabian horses. She also expressed her heartfelt gratitude to HRH the Crown Prince for inaugurating the Conference. Movie Featuring Bahrain’s purebred Arabian Horse History Furthermore, the Organising Committee showcased a film featuring the history of the Arabian horses in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Making of the 20-minute film was overseen by Shaikh Isa bin Khalifa Al Khalifa who led a qualified team. The film summarised the rich history of Bahrain in the area of purebred Arabian horses since the beginning of the previous century, featuring how Bahrainis use them to spread peace and maintain security nationwide as well as the prominent role they played in the Ministry of Interior. The film also highlighted the prominent efforts of the Royal Family throughout Bahrain’s history in preserving the purebred Arabian horses since the era of the Late Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa. The film also shed light on the prominent efforts of the Late Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa in preserving the purebred Arabian horses during his prosperous era. Reception Ceremony It’s worth noting that the Organising Committee organised a reception ceremony for the guests participating in the WAHO Conference. The event included several activities, including a show for purebred Bahraini Arabian horses. During the event also, Dr. Khalid Ahmed Hassan, President of the Royal Studs and General Coordinator of the Conference delivered a speech, in which he welcomed all the delegations in the Kingdom of Bahrain.