King attends World Endurance Championship

Samorin, Sep. 17 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa today attended the World Endurance Championship 2016 in Samorin, Slovakia. HM the King’s Representative for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Supreme Council for Youth and Sport (SCYS) Chairman, Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) President and Royal Team captain His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa took part in the 160-kilometer endurance race. HM the King was welcomed upon arrival by HH Shaikh Nasser and by SCYS First Deputy Chairman, West Asian Athletics Association (WAAA) and Bahrain Athletics Association (BAA) Chairman His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, in addition to members of the Royal Family and endurance sport fans. HM the King held cordial talks with UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum and Dubai Crown Prince Shaikh Hemdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum on strong bilateral relations. He underlined the crucial role of the endurance sport in strengthening cooperation between countries and building bridges between peoples in the world. HM the King followed the race in which Bahraini riders took part alongside other competitors from 45 countries all over the world, commending Slovakia for the outstanding organization. HM the King presented a Bahraini sword to HH Shaikh Nasser who finished third in the World Endurance Championship 2016, beating more than 140 riders. HH Shaikh Nasser topped all Arab riders, while Spain ranked first and second. HM the King thanked International Equestrian Federation (IEF) Second Deputy President Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa for opening the World Endurance Championship 2016, on behalf of the IEF President. He stressed Bahrain’s keenness on participating in such international championships to consolidate communication between riders and exchange sports expertise. He hailed the positive participation of the Royal Endurance team, led by HH Shaikh Nasser, lauding their honourable achievements in regional and international participations. HM the King hailed strong cooperation between the Royal Bahrain Endurance Federation (BREEF) and the International Equestrian Federation (IEF) to promote this sport. “The Kingdom of Bahrain ranks among the countries that own the best stables for purebred horses registered with the World Arabian Horse Organization (WAHO)”, he said. His Majesty King Hamad stressed Bahrain’s keenness on participating in sport competitions with fair play. He paid tribute to Shaikh Mohammed for promoting the endurance sport and encouraging other countries. “We participate and compete fraternally as brothers and any win for the UAE is also a victory for Bahrain”, HM the King said in a statement to UAE Yas Sport Channel. He hailed the dedicated efforts of the channel to promote the endurance sport, stressing his keen interest in this authentic sport. He commended Shaikh Nasser and hailed his strategies to develop equestrian and endurance. In the statement to Yas Sport Channel, he hailed Shaikh Nasser as a role model for Bahrain youth, who achieved good results in all sports. “Shaikh Nasser competes with a spirit of fair play. Whenever he wins they congratulate him and if he loses he congratulates them”, HM the King said.