Sports media role in promoting athletics commended

Manama, Mar. 28 (BNA): Under the patronage of HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa the First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council of Youth and Sports (SCYS), President of West Asia Athletics Federation, Chairman of Bahrain Athletics Association (BAA), the Association organised an honouring ceremony for veteran sports journalists and media men. A press conference was held by the Association for Bahrain's international champion Oluwakemi Adekoya who recently won a golden medal and the first title of the International Indoor Gymnastics Championship, at Portland city, USA. Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC)'s secretary-general, Abdulrahman Sadiq Askar, members of the BAA, representatives of local and Gulf newspapers and the media attended the press conference. The ceremony began with the arrival of the event's patron, HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa. BAA board member Bader Nasser Mohammed delivered a speech on behalf of the association in which he welcomed the attendees, lauding the spectacular role of HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa in uplifting the mother-of-all-sports which attained under the auspices of His Highness to highest levels. Sprinter Oluwakemi, conferred HH Shaikh Khalid the gold medal she has won from the world's indoor gymnastics champions, in recognition of His Highness's support to athletes. A short documentary film was displayed to portray the accomplishments of Oluwakemi in her sports career. HH Shaikh Khalid honoured veteran sports, editors, journalists and media personalities. Sports media section head, Mohammed Qassim, was honoured on winning the chairmanship of Asia Sports Press Federation. A question-and-answer session followed and journalists and media correspondents listened to Oluwakemi who talked about her athletics career and her latest accomplishment at the World Indoor Gymnastics Athletics Championship2016. On this occasion, HH Shaikh Khalid thanked the local and Gulf media for their efforts and contributions in showcasing sports activities and accomplishments of Bahrain Athletics Association. His Highness described the media as the effective and essential partner for their key role in reflecting the bright image of Bahraini sports in general and athletics in particular. HH Shaikh Khalid commended the role undertaken the audio-visual and written media in advancing the mother-of-all-sports through opinion, constructive criticism and coverage of the Association's activities and programmes, praising the role of mass media in spreading the culture of sports and contributing the flourishment of sports activities in our beloved kingdom. HH Shaikh Khalid once again praised Oluwakemi's excellent performance during the world indoor gymnastics championship, wishing her more success and achievements to hoist the Kingdom of Bahrain's flag at various upcoming athletic events.