Seef District – Bahrain Olympic Committee: Under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of the General Sports Authority, and Chairman of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, the fourth edition of the Bahrain Junior Olympics was inaugurated. The event, held in collaboration with the Ministry of Education at the Issa Bin Rashid Table Tennis Hall from May 5 to May 8, 2024, featured the participation of 1,000 students from 60 kindergartens and nurseries across the Kingdom.
The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of His Highness Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Vice President of the General Sports Authority, alongside dignitaries such as His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, Under-Secretary of Cabinet Affairs and Deputy Chairman of the Olympic Committee, Dr. Abdul Rahman Askar, CEO of the General Sports Authority, and Mr. Faris Mustafa Al-Kooheji, Secretary-General of the Bahrain Olympic Committee. Other notable attendees included senior officials from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, and various sports federations.
During the ceremony, His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa highlighted the Junior Olympics as a foundational platform for nurturing future champions, promoting sports participation, identifying young talent, and instilling an Olympic spirit amongst the youth. He emphasized the event's role in fostering physical and cognitive development in children, thereby contributing to their overall academic and personal success.
His Highness commended the enthusiastic involvement of the nurseries and kindergartens, as well as the support from parents, reflecting a heightened community awareness of the crucial role sports play in holistic development. He acknowledged the efforts of all involved parties in organizing the event and expressed his best wishes for its success.
The ceremony commenced with the national anthem, followed by a recital of the Holy Quran. The program included sports demonstrations by students from Abdul Rahman Kanoo School and Heroes Academy, as well as a gymnastics display by Motion Gymnastics. Highlights of the day included the infant crawl race, the toy car race, and a parade by the participating educational institutions.
The event proceeded with a speech by Mr. Faris Mustafa Al-Kooheji, followed by the flag-raising ceremony for the Bahrain Junior Olympics, culminating in the official opening declaration by His Highness Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa.
