HM King attends endurance race

Manama, Mar. 4 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa attended today the 120-km junior and senior endurance race of HM the King’s Cup as well as the local and international qualifying 80-km and 40-km race which were organised by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (BREEF) at Bahrain International Endurance Village. HM the King was welcomed on arrival by National Guard Commander Lieutenant General Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa, Representative of HM the King for Charity Work and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sport (SCYS), President of Bahrain Olympic Committee and BREEF Honorary President Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, SCYS First Deputy Chairman, President of Bahrain Athletics Association and Captain of Al-Khalidia Stables Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, BREEF President Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa and Board members. Shaikh Nasser briefed HM the King on the stages of the race and the number of participating riders, stressing that BREEF had made all necessary arrangements for Bahraini riders to take part in the race. Vice President of the International Equestrian Federation and President of the international federation’s 7th Arab Group Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa presented Shaikh Nasser with the group’s Excellence Award for Best Arab Horserider 2016 following his success to clinch third place in the World Endurance Championship in Slovakia. Shaikh Nasser expressed thanks for the award, wishing the President of the 7th Arab Group of the international federation continuous success. HM the King was also presented with commemorative gifts. He exchanged talks with the horseriders, wishing them every success in the race. He, then, watched the competitions and congratulated the winners on their victory. He lauded the unflinching efforts of Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid to develop the endurance sport and preserve it as part of Bahrain’s inherent heritage. HM the King hailed the efforts of BREEF Board Chairman and members in organising the race, and developing the endurance sport. He also praised the distinguished and successful participation of the UAE riders in the race which underlines deep-rooted fraternal ties binding both countries in all fields. He commended the good results of Bahraini riders which reflect their high competence in this Arab sport, thanking all for their efforts to ensure success of the race. Shaikh Nasser crowned winner of the first place the UAE rider Rashid Al Mazroui and Bahraini Royal Team rider Jafar Mirza and Mansour Al Faresi, from the UAE, who won second and third place respectively.