?Heads of the delegations competing in this year’s Arab Cycling Championships, being held in Bahrain, were given a special welcome by the Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) yesterday (OCT 28).BOC acting general secretary Abdulrahman Askar welcomed the delegations which have come to Bahrain to take part in the five-day event, being held under the patronage of Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.Askar conveyed the agreetings of Shaikh Nasser and Supreme Council general secretary and BOC vice-president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa to the delegations representatives, and their best wishes for them.Askar praised the Arab Cycling Federation’s rich agenda throughout the year, which reflects the well-planned strategy in their bid to develop cycling the Arab region, noting that the participation of 15 Arab cycling federations in this event is a source of pride for the Kingdom of Bahrain. He also lauded the efforts of the Organising Committee, headed by Bahrain Cycling Association President Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, in preparing and organizing this major regional championship.On his part, Arab Cycling Federation vice-president Munther Al Waeth expressed appreciation for the great reception of the Arab delegations in Bahrain, and noted the noticeable progress made by Arab riders in recent years which was made clear in the Bahrain event.The Arab Championship this year features three age categories, including the senior men’s, the junior men’s and the youth. The senior men’s events are being held for the 21st year, the junior men’s for a 16th year, while the youth are competing for only their second year.The championship continues until tomorrow (October 30) along the premises of Durrat Al Bahrain, with more than 300 riders from 15 Arab nations in the fray.