Shaikh Khalid praises Bahraini team's GCC performance

Manama, Dec. 26 (BNA): His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, Honourary President of Bahrain Disabled Sports Federation (BDSF), expressed his joy on the occasion of the Bahraini team winning third position at the 8th GCC Wheelchair Basketball Championship. The event was held under the patronage of HH Shaikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, on December 19-26 in Abu Dhabi. His Highness congratulated Shaikh Mohammed bin Daij Al Khalifa, BDSF President, the BDSF board members and the team on this result, stressing that it has been achieved thanks to the unlimited support from the wise leadership to the youth and sports sectors, which reflects their keenness in integrated people with disabilities in all sectors. His Highness added that the outstanding efforts of His Highness 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, has translated the vision of the wise leadership, through development plans set by His Highness to contribute in developing Bahraini sports, which had a prominent role in National team achieving honorable results in various sports championships and gatherings. HH Shaikh Khalid praised the outstanding performance of the team during this participation despite the strong competition, as the Bahraini team achieved a positive result by earning third position and confirmed their presence among the top three winners. His Highness explained that BDSF managed to crown their efforts by achieving this position and His Highness wished them further success and achievements in upcoming championships. "The efforts and work to support Bahraini youth will continue, especially to the category of people with disabilities, which achieves the directives of the wise leadership for this category, by giving them the opportunity to showcase their talents and energies in various fields, especially in sports," HH Shaikh Khalid said. "The support reflects on the development of people with disabilities, in sports, which achieves our ambitions contribute to the achievement of more successes in the coming participations." Shaikh Mohammed bin Daij Al Khalifa, Chairman of Board for the Bahrain Disabled Sports Federation, expressed his happiness with the outstanding result achieved by the national wheelchair basketball team, describing it as a positive outcome in the Gulf participation, characterised by strength and excitement among the participating teams. Shaikh Mohammed valued the great support of His Highness Shaikh Khalid that contributed to a development in the level of sports overseen by the Federation. He stressed that the Board of Directors will continue its efforts in accordance with its plans and programmes for development of all sports under the umbrella of the Federation. At the same time, he extended his appreciation and gratitude to His Highness Shaikh Khalidfor all that he provides for to Bahraini sport in general, and sports for people with disabilities in particular. In its eighth edition, the Gulf tournament witnessed strong competitive levels between participating GCC teams. The Bahraini team displayed great strength by competing under the slogan ‘#persistence_determination_challenge’, during which the athletes managed to deliver a strong performance, scoring them the third place. In the final match between the Bahrain national team and the host country’s team witnessed by the public, Bahrain achieved a deserved victory with a score of 52 to 47 points, earning its seat among the three giants in this sporting event of the Gulf. Team captain Nabeel Hamad Al Dosari shone by winning the *three throws cup, adding another distinction to Bahrain’s participation in Abu Dhabi.