HH Shaikh Khalid attends 24th Arab Cross Country Championships; crowns winners

Manama, Feb. 23 (BNA): His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS), Chairman of the General Sports Authority (GSA) and President of Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC), launched the 24th edition of the Arab Cross Country Championships, organised by the Bahrain Athletics Association at the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club’s track. His Highness kick-started the men’s race and witnessed its competitions. His Highness also crowned the top three places in the women’s race at the team level, in which the Bahraini team won first place, the Moroccan team ranked second, and the Algerian team came third. Meanwhile, His Highness Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz crowned the top three places in the men’s race at the team level, in which the Bahraini national team ranked first, the Moroccan team second, and the Algerian team third. His Highness Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Vice President of the General Sports Authority, crowned the first places in the men’s race, and the winners were Zouhair Aouad from Bahrain, Birhanu from Bahrain, and Ibrahim Hassan Bouh from Mauritania. Moreover, His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Vice President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee crowned the first places in the women’s singles race, which were dominated by Bahrain; Winfred Yavi came in first place, second place was Damaris Mutua, and third place was Ruth Jebet. After the competitions, Mr. Murad Al Senussi and Mr. Mohammed Abdulaziz, who are members of the Board of Directors of the Arab Athletics Federation, lowered the championship flag, which marked the end of the event’s ceremony. On this occasion, HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa asserted that the Kingdom’s hosting of the 24th edition of the Arab Cross Country Championships supports its position in the region as a prime destination for hosting the most important and prominent Arab, continental, and international sporting events. His Highness added that this event is one of the most important athletics events in the world. Moreover, His Highness highlighted that the event featured wide participation by runners from various Arab countries and that such occasion greatly enhances and develops Arab athletics, as this shows the extraordinary capabilities that Arab runners possess in this sport; and it gives them the opportunity to participate and compete in continental and international races. His Highness praised the efforts made by the Bahrain Athletics Association, headed by His Excellency Mr Mohammed Abdullatif bin Jalal, which contributed to the organisational success of the race. Moreover, His Highness praised the organisation and the outstanding success witnessed by the race, which achieved many gains that support the advancement and progress of athletics at the Arab level.