At the Press Conference of the Chairman of the High Organising Committee of the Tournament

• Minister of Education: The International School Games, a Milestone Event, is set to significantly elevate Bahrain's Global Standing in Sports and Education, marking a pivotal moment in our nation's sporting and educational history.

Ishaqi: Bahrain's high Readiness and Proven Experience in Hosting and Promoting Sports as a Community Culture are testaments to our nation's dedication to fostering a culture of sports and community engagement.

His Excellency Dr Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma, Minister of Education and Chairman of the High Organising Committee of the tournament, announced the commencement of the countdown for Bahrain's hosting of the International School Games (Bahrain 2024). The games, to be held from 23 to 31 October, will take place under the esteemed patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, a testament to his unwavering support and commitment to the event, may God protect him.

This announcement was made during a press conference held by His Excellency Dr Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma and His Excellency Mr Ali Isa Ishaqi, Chairman of the tournament's Executive Committee, at the Bahrain National Stadium in Riffa. The event was attended by His Excellency Dr Abdulrahman Askar, CEO of the General Sports Authority and Deputy Chairman of the High Organising Committee, Mr Ahmed Khalid Al-Arifi, CEO of the National Communication Centre, along with various officials from the Ministry of Education, the General Sports Authority, and the Bahrain Olympic Committee, members of the High Committee, and representatives of local media.

The conference provided a comprehensive overview of the Kingdom's meticulous preparations, showcasing the unity and collaboration of all involved, and the significant resources and efforts invested to host the largest international school sports event in history.

Royal Patronage

At the beginning of the conference, His Excellency Dr Juma warmly welcomed the attendees and highlighted Bahrain’s immense capabilities and high readiness to organise and host major sporting events. He emphasized that this readiness is a result of the generous support provided by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the continued backing of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. He also acknowledged the crucial role of the audience, underscoring their support as a key factor in the success of the event. Furthermore, the ongoing support from His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs and Chairman of the High Council for Youth and Sports, and His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the High Council for Youth and Sports and President of the General Sports Authority and Bahrain Olympic Committee, also plays a crucial role.

His Excellency Dr Juma underscored that Bahrain has a distinguished history of successfully hosting international sporting championships, which demonstrates the country’s accumulated experience in this domain. He commended the royal support, which serves as a motivator to achieve further success, adding that teamwork and the collaborative spirit among national cadres significantly contribute to the success of such events.

Strengthening the Kingdom's Position

His Excellency the Minister highlighted that Bahrain’s hosting of this international event strengthens the position of school sports and offers an invaluable opportunity for Bahraini students to participate in a global sports event of this scale, competing against many international athletes. He noted the positive impacts that could arise from discovering school talents and supporting clubs and national teams.

His Excellency stressed that the purpose of this press conference was to inform everyone about the latest updates regarding preparations for hosting the tournament and to review the progress made so far. He added that the previous period saw significant efforts from all committees involved to ensure the game was presented in the best possible way, showcasing Bahrain’s advancements in organising international sporting events.

Wide Participation

The Minister also reviewed the substantial efforts undertaken by the various committees preparing for the event. He noted that the extensive participation from countries worldwide indicates the event's success, with 5,651 participants representing 80 school unions from 70 countries, competing across 26 sports. These competitions will involve 3,715 athletes, 414 officials, 654 coaches, 414 referees, and 454 delegates from specialised groups.

His Excellency announced several accompanying events, including a scientific forum at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre featuring educational and sports workshops. He also mentioned a charity celebration at the Pearl Path, an entertainment area for participants and visitors, and the "Night of Nations" and "Cultural Day" events to foster cross-cultural communication between participants from various countries.

Great Preparations

Mr Ali Isa Ishaqi, Chairman of the Executive Committee, emphasised the importance of the efforts made by all committees to ensure full readiness for the tournament, commending the progress achieved so far. He expressed his delight with the preparations and highlighted the need to intensify efforts in the few remaining days to ensure that the event reflects Bahrain’s reputation for hosting international sports events.

Ishaqi also confirmed that the Executive Committee has completed all necessary preparations to host this global sports event, which will begin at the Bahrain National Stadium in Riffa, with sports competitions distributed across several facilities specially equipped for the tournament. The Isa bin Rashid Sports Halls and surrounding areas will host events, including karate, taekwondo, basketball (3x3), Paralympic competitions, beach volleyball, judo, and weightlifting. Khalifa Sports City will host athletics, shooting events, artistic gymnastics, and swimming. The American University of Bahrain will host aerobic and rhythmic gymnastics and chess events. Ishaqi noted that handball competitions will occur at the Federation Hall in the Sports Halls Complex in Umm Al Hassam. At the same time, Al Ahli Club will host boxing and fencing competitions in the Basketball Federation Hall at the same complex. Other events will occur at venues such as Bahrain Mall and Al Areen Reserves.

Sports as a Community Culture

Mr Ali Isa Ishaqi highlighted that preparations for the tournament include ensuring all logistical and technical requirements are in place to guarantee its success. Additionally, cultural programmes are organised to promote communication and exchange among youth from various nations.

He added that hosting the International School Games aligns with the directives of the Kingdom’s sports leadership. These aim to embed sports as a way of life, foster community culture, and strengthen ties between nations, emphasising the vital role of sports in societies.

Ishaqi noted that Bahrain has become a preferred destination for hosting major sporting events thanks to its advanced organisational capabilities.