Olympic Day celebrated

Manama, May 15 (BNA): Abdullatif Hussain put on a remarkable show to win the men’s adults category running race at the 2016 Olympic Day. The inaugural race of this two-week event, organized by the Northern Governorate at the Budaiya Coast Park, saw hundreds of men and women youngsters and adults compete in five different age group races, organized in cooperation with the Bahrain Roadrunners, at the park walkway. But it was Hussain who stole the limelight of the day after putting on a splendid performance to clinch the men’s senior race title after a close battle with runner up Ahmed Jowda and third-placer Mubarak Al Sulaiti. In the women’s senior race, Salha Saad topped the ranking with Dania Hussain coming second and Mona Jehad third. The day also featured four more categories as Khalifa Faisal secured first position in the 6 to 8 year boys category, while Khadija Ali Al Asfoor proved too strong to win the same category race among girls, finishing ahead of Fatima Ahmed and Wadia Abdulla, who were second and third, respectively. The day concluded with Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) general secretary Abdulrahman Askar and Northern Governor Ali Al Asfoor honoring the top three runners in each race. In a statement after the race, Askar said he was pleased for the smooth organisation of the inaugural event of this year’s Olympic Day, which featured greater success and significantly different in comparison to last year’s edition. "This year, we celebrate the Olympic Day which comes with a new slogan ‘Move, Learn and Discover’, as we share the international Olympic community its efforts in promoting the principles of Olympism and the noble human values, where this ceremonial occasion has occupies an important part in our annual agenda," he said. Askar noted that the Bahrain Olympic Committee was keen this year to set up a packed programme and new shows that would attract all members of the community and to contribute to building a societal culture about the Olympic values. "Our celebration of the Olympic Day is a source of pride for all of us. It’s an occasion to emphasize the cooperation and fair sports competitiveness, and to emphasis the need to obtain sportsmanlike spirit". "It is also an ideal opportunity to encourage people to exercise. The Olympic Day is a day for everyone to participate and give them the opportunity to become involved in various sports and events in an attempt to embody the Olympic values and instill the spirit of unity, peace and fair competition," concluded the BOC general secretary. The next event on the Olympic Day agenda will be organized by the Capital Governorate near Fatima Kanoo Mosque and Bahrain’s famous map statute. It will feature a similar running race open for all ages. Other results: 9-11 (Boys): 1. Nawaf Khulaif; 2. Sayed Wesam Mahmood; 3. Fahad Khalid. 9-11 (Girls): 1. Iman Awad; 2. Maryam Fahad; 3. Helen Basman. 12-14 (Boys): A. Rahman Mubarak; 2. Jaffer Fael; 3. Murtada Fadel. 12-14 (Girls): 1. Shaikha Khalid; 2. Iman Khalid; 3. Fouza Mousa. People with disabilities (Boys): 1. Mujtaba Mohammed; 2. Abbas Meshaima; 3. Abdulamir Al Aradi. Photo captions: 1. All winners with race organisers, sponsors and invited guests. 2. Athletes compete in the men’s senior race 3. Action from the 6-8 years boys race 4. Northern Governor Ali Al Asfoor declares the start of the races 5. A girl receives her award from Northern Governor Ali Al Asfoor, as Abdulrahman Askar, right, looks on