HM King receives AAF President

Manama, Apr.27 (BNA) His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa has today expressed delight at hosting the 19th Arab Athletics Championship in Bahrain, welcoming all the participating delegations to the pan-Arab sporting event. "Bahrain's doors have always been open for hundreds, or even thousands of years to our brothers and neighbours" he said, as he received at Sakhir Palace Supreme Council for Youth and Sport (SCYS) First Deputy Chief, President of East Asia Athletics Federation, Bahrain Athletics Association and Arab Athletics Championship Organising Committee Chairman His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Khalifa. HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Khalifa introduced to HM the King Arab Athletics Federation (AAF) board members led by President Suleiman Awwadh Al-Zaidi, on the sidelines of the 19th Arab Athletics Championship in Bahrain. The (AAF) officials expressed thanks to HM the King for patronising the tournament, which reflects royal keenness on the success of pan-Arab sporting competition. They also presented HM the King with the Golden Shield, in recognition of his support to the youth and sport movement in the Arab World. HM the King stressed the importance of athletics, the mother of all sports, which includes multiple competitions, attracts men, women and peoples with special needs and boasts millions of people all over the world, on par with other popular sports such as football and Formula One. He thanked the AAF officials for visiting Bahrain and putting the pan-Arab championship under the royal patronage, stressing the crucial importance of sport which reflects nowadays countries' development strides and image. HM the King commended the AAF-led efforts to develop athletics in Arab countries and stressed tangible strides in Asia, expressing the hope for landmark achievements in the Olympic Games. HM the King stressed the importance of openness on the world so as to further develop sport in the Arab World, urging such championships to be held with other foreign countries. He cited in this regard the International Military Sports Council (CISM), which symbolises sport cooperation between armed forces in all countries in the world.