"Royal support behind world endurance victory"

Manama, Oct. 25 (BNA): HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Personal Representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of Bahrain Olympic Committee and Captain of Bahrain Royal Endurance Team affirmed that winning the World Endurance Championship for Young Riders and Juniors in Chile recently will motivate team members to gain more accomplishments in future participations in equestrian and endurance competitions. HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa praised the team members for their achievements in the world championship in Chile and the recent European competitions. Bahraini rider Fahad Al Khatri won the first place of the World Endurance Championship for Young Riders and Juniors after dominating the individuals category of the championship, while Bahrain Royal Endurance Team was crowned as the champion of the teams category. Al Khatri finished the five stages of the 120-KM race in 5:20:57 time, while Bahrain Royal Endurance Team, which consisted of riders Mohammed Al Khatri, Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Salim Sabt, Dana Al Binghadeer Al Dossary and Fahad Al Khatri, finished first 17:38:16 time. The organising committee of the championship honoured Al Khatri, along with Emirati riders Saeed Al Muhairi and Saeed Al Farisi who won the second and third places respectively. Al Khatri appreciated the never-ending support and care provided to the team by HM the King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa. He pointed that HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa was directly communicating with him and his fellow team members, adding that the directives of the captain of the team was the key motivation behind the team’s victory. Al Khatri said "Thanks to the instructions of HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, we were able to win, despite our lack of knowledge of the course of the race and the weather conditions." "I experienced strong competition from Emirati riders throughout the five stages of the race. I doubled my efforts in the final two stages and was able to stay and cross the finish line in the first place."