HH Shaikh Nasser stresses support for Bahraini cyclists

Manama, Jan. 22 (BNA): Under the patronage of HM the King’s Representative for Charity Work and Youth Affairs, National Security Advisor and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Bahrain Cycling Academy (BCA) team was inaugurated today. Including seven Bahraini cyclists, the team will be officially launched on January 31. On the occasion, HH Shaikh Nasser valued highly the efforts exerted by the Bahrain Cycling Association to achieve the vision to reach professionalism of athletes in Bahrain, espcially in cycling, noting that the inauguration of the academy will achieve many goals. He said that the team will compete in many events, adding that the ultimate goal is to have professional Bahraini cyclists participating in various international championships. HH Shaikh Nasser expressed optimism that the academy will boost cyclism in Bahrain, especially with the presence of outstanding cyclists who have attained landmark achievements, which, he said, will help Bahraini cyclists to gain experience and become professionals. The inauguration ceremony was held at Ritz-Carlton Hotel, in the presence of the President of the Bahrain Cycling Association, HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa. HH Shaikh Khalid expressed thanks and appreciation to HH Shaikh Nasser for his constant support for the youth and sports sectors, noting that the inauguration of the team is part of the Bahrain Cycling Association’s keenness to achieve HH Shaikh Nasser’s enlightened vision to boost sports in Bahrain and support Bahraini athletes to become professionals. He indicated that HH Shaikh Nasser’s constant follow-up has encouraged Bahraini cyclists to develop themeselves in order to be qualified to enter the Bahrain McLaren team of professionals. He said that the team comprises 13 cyclists, including seven Bahrainis who succeeded to join the team thanks to their training. Bahraini cyclists expressed thanks and appreciation to HH Shaikh Nasser for his keenness to provide opportunities for ambitious Bahraini youth to become professionals. The academy’s team will participate in the Bahrain cycling festival, set to be held on January 31 and February 1, in cooperation with PowerUp and Cycle Safe Bahrain.