HM King hails national heritage

Manama, Oct. 26 (BNA): The curtain today fell on the second edition of the Nasser bin Hamad Maritime Heritage Season. His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa patronized the final ceremony which was held at the Bahrain National Museum. The Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) Traditional Maritime Sports Committee organized the closing ceremony. HM the King was received by His Majesty’s Representative for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, National Security Advisor and Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS) Chairman HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa and members of the (BOC) Traditional Maritime Sports Committee. HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa briefed HM the King about the multiphased three-month maritime heritage season which started at the beginning of last August, lining up several traditional sports and heritage contests. HM the King then watched the traditional rowing race over the HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad’s Cup for the elite, with participants from the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman. He also watched another traditional rowing race over the HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad’s Cup for the public. HM the King then toured the craftsmen’s products which were showcased on the occasion to highlight longstanding maritime heritage, in addition of a collection of Bahraini authentic pearls. HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa then presented HM the King with a commemorative gift on this occasion. HM the King them presented cup of HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad’s Cup for the elite to the captain of the Samoom team which won the 3-kilometre-long rowing race. The team captain expressed deepest thanks to HM the King and to HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa for promoting national heritage. Shanas team from Oman and “Isaar” (Cyclone) team from Bahrain finished second and third respectively. “Zelzal” team claimed HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad’s Cup for the public after winning the 2-kilometre long rowing race, following respectively boat number 3 (Al-Seel) and boat number 19 (Al-Bareh) who finished in the second and third positions. A procession of 120 boats then saluted HM the King who greeted them. HM the King congratulated HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa for the success of the second Maritime Heritage Season, hailing dedicated efforts to revive the authentic national heritage and encourage youth to take part in competitions aimed at foster Bahraini identity. He also congratulated the winners of the second editions as well as all the participants in different competitions, commended the dedicated efforts exerted by the organising committee. HM the King reiterated his firm support to all efforts aimed to revive traditional longstanding sports, draw up plans and programmes to conserve them and engage youth to take part in such competitions.