HM King Hamad patronises honouring ceremony

Manama, March 31 (BNA) His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa patronised today an honouring ceremony in tribute to First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sport and President of Bahrain Athletics Association Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa marking his success to swim 42 km from Saudi Arabia to Bahrain in Khalid bin Hamad Swim Challenge which was held to benefit cancer patients in Bahrain. His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, also attended the celebration which was held at the National Action Charter Monument. HM the King was welcomed on arrival by Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sport and President of Bahrain Olympic Committee Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Southern Governor and President of the General Organisation for Youth and Sport. Then, HM the King headed to the Royal stand and listened to the national anthem. After a recitation of some verses from the Holy Quran, a documentary was presented on Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Shaikh Nasser delivered a speech in which he lauded HM the King’s patronage of the celebration. He praised Shaikh Khalid’s historic achievement and pioneering initiative, underlining its importance in further bolstering fraternal relations between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. He said Shaikh Khalid’s unprecedented accomplishment reflects challenge, power, determination and courage to defy the impossible and revive Bahrain’s glorious past when the forefathers drew a marvelous epic crossing from Al Haddar river to Bahrain isles. He added Shaikh Khalid’s swimming trip has taught many lessons including mainly the confidence of a father, the upbringing of a mother and the determination of an ambitious person. Then, Shaikh Nasser read a poem on the occasion. After that, the first musical tableau was presented in which the artist Rashid Handhal sang a song written by Shaikh Nasser. Next, Faris Khalid, a child who has recovered from cancer, gave a speech in which he highly commended HM the King’s noble and honourable initiatives to support and end the suffering of cancer patients. He paid tribute to HM the King, describing him as the symbol of humanness and the idol to be followed by those seeking to serve mankind. He also praised Shaikh Khalid’s humanitarian initiative to allocate the proceeds of Khalid bin Hamad Swim Challenge to the benefit of cancer patients in Bahrain. HM the King decorated Shaikh Khalid with Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa First Class Medal in tribute to his historic achievement, wishing him more success. After the second musical tableau, Shaikh Khalid delivered a speech in which he thanked HM the King for his valuable directives and tremendous care for all the Bahraini people. He also thanked Shaikh Nasser for his support and encouragement during the swim challenge, which, he said, was a stimulus to overcome all hardships and attain the noble goal of the initiative. "Welcoming us at the swim arrival point, patronising the honouring ceremony and bestowing on us Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa First Class Medal are happy moments which bear a lot of meanings and further instill the spirit of determination to launch more humanitarian initiatives," he said. He added that the initiative was also a reassertion of cooperation and unity between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. He also described the achievement as a bright moment to recall with pride and appreciation Bahrain’s quantum leaps in various fields. Then, the third musical tableau was presented by singer Aseel Abu Bakr who sang a song written by Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa. After that, fireworks were let off into the sky in celebration of the occasion. HM the King then visited the National Action Charter Monument and was briefed on the efforts made to prepare the original version of the National Action Charter, which formed a quantum leap in the modern history of Bahrain in political, economic, social and democratic aspects. HM the King hailed cooperation and collective work done in the interest of the Kingdom of Bahrain and its people. HM the King was presented with commemorative gift by Minister of Education Dr. Majid Al Nuaimi. HM the King congratulated Shaikh Khalid on receiving Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa First-Class Medal, and on his unprecedented historic accomplishment. HM the King stressed that Shaikh Khalid’s swimming race challenge is an honouring accomplishment for the Kingdom of Bahrain and its people. He described it as a stimulus for all Bahraini youth to bring about further achievements to enhance Bahrain's reputation and standing at the international level. HM the King lauded Shaikh Khalid's humane initiative to allocate the proceeds of the achievement to Bahraini cancer patients as a noble gesture in the framework of social solidarity, which is always supported by Bahrain's leadership and government. HM the King added that Shaikh Khalid was able to use sport to serve noble goals and he deserves the recognition as a national hero that Bahrain is proud of, urging the Bahraini youth to continue serving the country and community in various aspects and wishing them every success. HM the King emphasised that Shaikh Khalid 's achievement has mirrored deep-rooted Bahraini-Saudi relations in all fields. HM the King wished Shaikh Khalid every success and good health to continue bringing about further national achievements.