Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad receives Information Minister

Manama, Aug. 11 (BNA): First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sport and President of the Bahrain Athletics Association Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa has affirmed the crucial role played by the media in boosting the youth and sport movement in the kingdom. He made the statements as he received here today the Information Affairs Minister Isa bin Abdulrahman Al-Hammadi and reviewed with him areas of cooperation in supporting sports, especially the mixed martial art (mma) one following its spread among Bahraini youth, the interest of specialised clubs in it and the organisation of local competitions. Shaikh Khalid stressed the need to provide media support for the game so as to promote it, noting that such a sport has enhanced the kingdom’s status in the global sporting map, citing the recent participation of the Khalid bin Hamad MMA Team (KHK MMA Team) in the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF)’s 2015 IMMAF World Championships of Amateur MMA, held in Las Vegas, Nevada (USA). Shaikh Khalid highlighted the media role played by the Information Affairs Ministry and the Information Affairs Authority (IAA) in efficiently covering various sporting events which, he said, ensured the success of those events and projected a positive image of the kingdom as a country that embraces all athletes and sports. He stressed that the ministry’s development plans have brought about a giant leap in the media field, especially regarding sport, praising Bahrain Sports Channel’s coverage of all national sporting events and participation of Bahraini athletes in international sports gatherings. Shaikh Khalid expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to the Information Affairs Minister for his cooperation and coordination in supporting all sports in the kingdom, including MMA. The minister affirmed the key role played by all national media outlets in supporting the youth and sport movement in the kingdom and highlighting the landmark sport achievements attained during His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s prosperous era. He lauded the honourable sports achievements attained by the kingdom at the GCC, Arab, Asian and international levels thanks to the directives of the HM the King’s Representative for Charity Work and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sport and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa in this regard. The Information Affairs Minister valued highly Shaikh Khalid's landmark achievements and efforts in enhancing the sports movement and charity activities in the kingdom, lauding the kingdom’s winning of the Arab Athletics Championship this year. He also praised Shaikh Khalid’s support for the MMA sport, as well media, cultural and horse-racing activities, hailing his key role in strengthening the deep-rooted Bahraini-Saudi relations through the Khalid bin Hamad Swimming Challenge, whose proceeds were allocated to cancer patients.