25 Male and Female Runners to Represent Bahrain School Athletics Team

Shaddad: Strong competition expected, with confidence in medal success

Coach Saad Shaddad, Technical Director of the Faisal bin Khalid Academy for the Gifted and Director of the Bahrain School Athletics Team, confirmed the team’s full readiness for the International School Games, set to take place from 23 to 31 October, under the royal patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

Shaddad stated: “We expect fierce competition during this tournament, which will provide invaluable experience to our young athletes, building a strong foundation for Bahrain’s sporting future.” He further emphasised the dedicated attention from Bahrain's sports leadership in preparing for this prestigious event.

“The athletics team, consisting of seven female and 18 male athletes, is focused on achieving results that will raise Bahrain’s profile in school sports. This event has been long anticipated, and we have invested significant efforts into our preparations.”

He highlighted the team’s capabilities, expressing confidence: “We are certain that our athletes can compete at the highest level and secure medals. With 25 highly skilled athletes representing Bahrain, we believe their performance will reflect the quality of our preparation.”

Discussing the scale of participation, Shaddad remarked on the level of international involvement, stating: “The number of participants underscores the importance of this event globally. Strong competition is anticipated, particularly from highly experienced athletes, which adds to the tournament's excitement.”

He concluded: “We are prepared for tough competition and are confident that Bahrain’s athletes will deliver a performance worthy of the Kingdom.”

Continuous Preparations for the Badminton Team

Ebrahim: Our goal is to compete and discover talents from the tournament

The Bahraini school badminton team is gearing up for the International School Games (Bahrain 2024), with 24 male and female players set to participate in both team and individual events. This prestigious tournament, featuring wide participation from school sports federations worldwide, promises fierce competition.

Jafar Ibrahim, the team’s general supervisor, highlighted early preparations, with a summer training camp in July and August, followed by participation in the Khalid bin Hamad Games for the Golden Generation and the Bahrain International Youth Championship in September.
The team also competed in the Sixth School Olympics in September and the West Asian Championship in Oman in October.

Ibrahim stated: “Our participation aims to engage and compete with top international badminton players. The competition will be tough, with 27 school unions involved, providing a valuable opportunity to discover and nurture emerging talent.”

He added, “We are optimistic about our preparations and aim to achieve excellent results in the International School Games, enhancing player skills and raising competition standards, which will contribute to the growth of badminton in Bahrain.”

As the tournament draws nearer, the team, under the supervision of coach Ahmed Al-Jallad, is intensifying its efforts to ensure an outstanding performance on the international stage.

Training Committee Prepares Specialised Courses for International School Games (Bahrain 2024)

The Training Committee for the International School Games (Bahrain 2024), scheduled for October 23-31, has announced its readiness to deliver specialised courses to train physical education teachers during the tournament. These programmes include lectures from internationally accredited speakers, and participants will receive certifications recognised by global sports federations, furthering Bahrain's sports education development.

The courses will continue throughout the tournament, integrating activities and federation-related events to offer a well-rounded learning experience for teachers. Led by Dr Nader Jamali, Director of Sports Education at the Ministry of Education, and supported by Dr Latifa Al-Qaoud, Ali Janahi, and volunteers, the committee is committed to ensuring the programme's success and introducing participants to Bahrain's cultural heritage.

The committee’s efforts reflect Bahrain’s dedication to advancing the sports education sector and strengthening teachers' ability to transfer knowledge and skills effectively.

The International School Games: A Legacy of Global Sporting Excellence, with Bahrain as the Next Landmark

The Kingdom of Bahrain is preparing to host the upcoming edition of the International School Games "Gymnasiade" in 2024 under the esteemed patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

First launched in Wiesbaden, Germany, in 1974, the Gymnasiade has since travelled across numerous prominent cities such as Orléans, Turin, and Shanghai, cementing its status in Europe and beyond. Over the years, cities like Orléans, Turin, Lille, Nice, and Bruges became central to the tournament's European heritage. In 1994, Nicosia, Cyprus, hosted the event, followed by Shanghai in 1998 and Cannes in 2002. Athens, renowned for its Olympic heritage, hosted the tenth edition in 2006, and Doha, Qatar, marked the first Arab host in 2009, a notable moment for school sports in the region. Subsequent editions took place in Brasilia (2013), Trabzon (2016), and Marrakech (2018), with Normandy, France, hosting the most recent edition in 2022.

Bahrain is now stepping up its preparations, ensuring a world-class sports infrastructure. Isa Sports City and Khalifa Sports Complex will welcome over 5,000 athletes from 71 countries, competing across 26 sports, including athletics, archery, badminton, basketball 3x3, beach volleyball, boxing, chess, fencing, gymnastics, judo, karate, and more. The tournament also champions inclusion, featuring sports for people with special needs, such as athletics, badminton, judo, and swimming.

Beyond competition, Bahrain aims to offer a rich cultural exchange through various events, fostering unity and understanding among the participating nations.

More than 150 Local Media Professionals to Cover the International School Games

Over 150 local media professionals have registered to cover the International School Games (Bahrain 2024) following the closure of registration last Tuesday. This high turnout from various media outlets reflects the strong interest in this global event, scheduled from October 23 to 31.

The media coverage will include competitions, cultural activities, and related events, contributing to increasing awareness of sports' importance and societal role. The organising committee praised the media’s essential role in supporting the tournament and expressed gratitude for their efforts in showcasing athlete achievements and youth participation.

The committee highlighted the media’s significant impact on promoting Bahrain as a global sports destination. Additionally, international interest is expected, with many foreign media professionals likely to participate alongside their delegations, further reflecting the tournament's global significance.