Leadership congratulated on outstanding victory

Manama, Mar. 13 (BNA): His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of West Asian Athletics Federation, President of Bahrain Athletics Association, extended his warmest congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa following the win of Eunice Kirwa at the Nagoya Women's Marathon in Japan. Shaikh Khalid SAID that the achievement reflects on the unlimited support to the Youth and Sports sector from HM The King, which contributed to the development of this sector, giving Bahrain a prominent place with strong a presence at various sports gatherings and participations. He also extended his deepest congratulations to His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, on Bahrain's latest achievements in the "Mother of Sports", which shows the efforts of the wise leadership in promoting Youth and Sports movement in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and raise Bahrain's name in international gatherings. Shaikh Khalid praised the great role of the Bahrain Olympics Committee through the plans and programmes aimed to improve Bahrain sports by Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of Bahrain Olympic Committee. His Highness stressed on HH Shaikh Nasser bin Al Khalifa keenness to support all national teams, especially the athletics team to appear honourably at various foreign participations. He said that this achievement is a source of pride for a bright future with more distinctive and outstanding results from runner, Eunice Kirwa, given her results in previous foreign championships, most notably, winning the silver medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics. He praised the eye-catching performance of runner, Eunice Kirwa and her keenness to continue excelling in various participations, becoming a role model who represents her country internationally. He pointed out that her first position victory gives a clear indication of her unique capabilities and potential, stressing that the Association will always stand by her side and support her for further achievements to the Kingdom of Bahrain. Kirwa finished the race with time of 2:21:17 hours, beating Japanese runner, Yuka Ando, who came in second position with a time of 2:21:30 hours, and Japan's Mao Kiyota who came third with a time of 2:23:47 hours. Kirwa thus kept her title won in the previous Japan Marathon in 2016.