Bahrain’s most prestigious charity event is set to take place again in two weeks’ time after a three-year hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The American Mission Hospital’s 23rd AMH Island Classic Annual Charity Golf Tournament will be held from October 27 to 29 under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad at his private golf course in Saffriya.
The tournament’s last edition took place in 2019.
“The Island Classic is a big feather in our cap every year,” AMH corporate CEO, Dr George Cheriyan told the GDN in an exclusive interview. “It is a matter of great honour for all of us to be involved in the hosting of this prestigious event.
“Of course, it is only made possible each year by the generosity of His Majesty who is the patron of the tournament and allows us the use of his private golf course.”
First organised in 1997, the tournament raises thousands of dinars for AMH’s community outreach initiatives each year through corporate sponsorships from some of Bahrain’s leading companies.
The funds raised are channelled into the AMH community outreach programmes which conduct free health checks and run awareness campaigns about varied illnesses and diseases.
The outreach programmes also provide free medical treatment wherever required with a special focus on the elderly and differently-abled children.
The Island Classic, meanwhile, is also one of the biggest events on Bahrain’s sporting calendar.
“This tournament is one of the most highly-anticipated annual sports events in the kingdom,” AMH’s fundraising, community and marketing department manager Ali Moosa Tarada told the GDN. “We are always approached by a number of teams who are interested in participating. This year, there will be 40 teams, of four players each, who will be taking part.”
And, if not for the two-year break forced by the pandemic, the Island Classic would have been celebrating its 25th edition this year, he added.
Once it became clear that conditions had improved enough for the tournament to be held again this year, Tarada and his three-member team went to work on planning the tournament, identifying the right dates to avoid clashes with other major events and sending out sponsorship letters and proposals.
“Part of the very long process of organising the Island Classic involves working very closely with the Royal Court to ensure the security of the event,” Dr Cheriyan explained. “We also have to ensure, with the guidance of the Royal Court, that there is no possible breach of royal protocol.
“That is why, when the event used to take place every year, we would start the planning process for the next year immediately after the tournament had concluded. Organising a three-day sporting event of this magnitude is a complex procedure, We have to ensure that no issues arise during the competition and that all royal rules and regulations are met and complied with.”
Tarada added that the Royal Court’s active involvement in the planning and organising of the event was greatly appreciated by his team.
“I would like to thank His Majesty for the grace extended to us and the Royal Court for all the co-operation and support we receive,” he said.
The American Mission Hospital was the first modern hospital to start functioning in Bahrain when it became operational in 1903.
The funds generated through the hosting of the Island Classic go towards AMH initiatives providing free medical help and surgical assistance to people affected by Down syndrome, blindness, deaf and mute complications, geriatric illnesses and other problems.
&uuid=(email))