HM the King honours Bahraini gold medalists

Manama, Oct. 3 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa took pride in the outstanding sports achievements accomplished by Bahraini players at international level, saying they are a source of pride for the nation. He stressed keenness to continue supporting players of various games to carry on their progress and accomplish more achievements to bolster Bahrain's standing in all youth and sport forums. HM the King received at Sakhir Palace,bodybuilding gold medalist Ali Mohammed Abdulrasoul, gold medalist Ali Monfaredi in the 77 kg Jiu-Jitsu championship at the Fifth Asian Beach Games held in Danang, Vietnam, and player Fatima Abdulrazaq Safar who won the gold in the Shotput competition (F-53) with a record throw of 4.76 metres at the 2016 Paralympic Games held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Present were HM the King's Personal Representative HH Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HM the King's Representative for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS), President of Bahrain Olympic Committee, HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and SCYS First Deputy, President of West Asia Athletics Federation (WAAF) and President of the Bahrain Athletics Association, HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa. HM the King conferred on the players the Bahrain Order of Merit in appreciation of their efforts in bringing honourable achievements to their beloved homeland. HM the King paid tribute to the champions who brought the achievements and congratulated them on their excellence and enthusiasm throughout the competitions. HM the King praised the efforts of HH Shaikh Nasser in providing the best means to all athletes and setting out plans and programmes aimed at upgrading various sport games which have had a pivotal role in bringing many titles. He also commended the efforts of HH Shaikh Khalid that led to winning medals in various sport competitions. HM the King said that the sport achievements accomplished by Bahraini youth in various competitions are a source of pride and reflect their talents, determination and excellence. He urged the youth to work harder to bring more successes to reinforce Bahrain's sport standing in international forums. He lauded the national sport associations' heads and coaching, training and administrative staff whose efforts were reflected on the players' performance and enthused them to compete. The honoured players expressed thanks and appreciation to HM the King for bestowing on them the national medals that will be a strong impetus to work harder for more successes in international contests. They praised the constant support of HM the King that assisted in bringing the achievements in various sport competitions. They also expressed appreciation of the support of HH Shaikh Nasser and HH Shaikh Khalid for all Bahraini athletes, pledging to exert best efforts to maintain winning attitude and to bring more success to the homeland.