World Fencing Junior Championship kicks off

Manama, Oct. 7 (BNA): World Fencing Junior Championship for singles and teams, held under the patronage of His Majesty the King’s Representative for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee President Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, kicked off today at the Khalifa Sports City Hall, with the participation of 14 countries. Shaikh Nasser delegated the President of the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (BREEF), to Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa, to open the two-day event, organised by the Bahrain Fencing Association, and hosted by the kingdom for the first time. Shaikh Nasser lauded His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s constant support to the youth and sport movement in the kingdom, citing the royal support of Bahrain’s hosting of various sporting events. Through its organisation of various sports tournaments and championships, the kingdom has gained the confidence of international sport federations thanks to its prestigious reputation in this regard, he said. Shaikh Nasser asserted that the kingdom’s hosting of the World Fencing Junior Championship proves its distinguished status, and testifies to the confidence of the international sport community in its organizational potentials. He expressed delight at seeing young champions from all over the world competing in the kingdom, noting that the event will provide an opportunity for Bahraini players to showcase the strides of the fencing sport in the kingdom. Shaikh Nasser commended the efforts of the Bahrain Fencing Association to organise and ensure the success of the world event, wishing the organisers and participants every success. During the opeing ceremony, Organising Committee Chairman and Bahrain Fencing Association President Shaikh Ibrahim bin Salman Al Khalifa, delivered a statement in which he welcomed BREEF president and the kingdom’s distinguished guests. He praised the leadership’s unlimited support to the sport sector, in general, and fencing, in particular. He expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to the Olympic Committee for its support to the event. The World Fencing Junior Championship will conclude on Saturday, October 8.