HM the King honours Olympic medalists, handball players

Manama, Sep. 11 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has honoured Bahraini athletes for the landmark results they achieved recently at various sporting events. This came as HM the King received today, in the presence of HM the King’s Personal Representative Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HM the King’s Personal Representative for Charity Work and Youth Affairs, Supreme Council for Youth and Sport (SCYS) Chairman and the Bahrain Olympic Committee President, Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and the SCYS First Deputy Chairman and the Bahrain Athletics Association, Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahraini athletes Ruth Jebet, who won the gold medal of the women's 3000m steeplechase, and Eunice Kirwa, who clinched the silver medal of the women’s marathon, at Rio 2016 Olympic Games. HM King Hamad conferred the Competence Medal on the two Bahrain Olympic medalists in recognition of their efforts to attain honourable sport achievements. HM the King also received the members of the Bahrain junior national handball team after winning the 7th Asian Championship for the first time and qualifying for the World Cup finals to be held in Georgia next year. HM King Hamad congratulated Bahraini athletes and administrative staff of the national teams and thanked them for the historic sport achievements, affirming that Bahrainis are capable of competing at various sporting events. HM the King asserted that Bahrain’s distinction during the 31st Olympic Games and the success of the junior handball team prove the outstanding capabilities of Bahraini athletes and their resolve to bring about more honourable achievements during the coming events. This requires the State to provide more support to Bahraini youth regarding facilities and training to be able to raise the national banners at international sporting gatherings, he said. HM the King lauded the fruitful efforts exerted by Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid which led Bahrain’s landmark accomplishments, valuing highly and voicing pride in the patriotic efforts exerted by the board of the Bahrain Athletics Association, the board of the National Handball team, led by Ali Isa Ishaqi, as well as the administrative and technical staff. HM the King expressed pride in the patriotism of all Bahraini athletes and players for their determination to achieve distinguished results in all fields, pledging every support to them and wishing them further success. Olympic medalists, Ruth Jebet and Eunice Kirwa, extended deepest thanks and gratitude to HM the King for decorating them, stressing the royal honouring will motivate them to achieve more outstanding results and raise the kingdom’s banners at various external gatherings. They also affirmed that HM the King’s constant support had helped win their two medals. The two Olympic champions also extended thanks and appreciation to Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid for encouraging them and harnessing all potentials for them in order to reach the podium. They expressed pride in achieving honourable results for the kingdom. Members of the junior handball team extended utmost thanks and gratitude to HM King Hamad for his constant support, pledging to continue their dedicated efforts in order to bring about more achievements.