GYMNASIADE – Delegations of the world’s future star athletes have begun arriving in the kingdom to participate in the ISF Gymnasiade Bahrain 2024, set to be held under the royal patronage of His Majesty King Hamad.
The multi-sport event is set to feature more than 70 nations from across the globe and more than 5,400 participants including athletes, both boys and girls, along with coaches, referees, team officials, and delegation heads.
It will get underway with the official opening ceremony tomorrow at the National Stadium in Riffa, scheduled for a 5.30pm start.
The Gymnasiade is taking place under the banner of the International School Sport Federation (ISF). The event aims to promote sportsmanship and encourages cultural exchange among young people from diverse backgrounds.
There will be 26 sports featured in the event, along with various cultural and educational activities for the kingdom’s guests.
Organising committees have coordinated transportation to ensure smooth transfers for participants to their accommodations following their arrival at Bahrain International Airport.
Several hotels and facilities have been designated to meet the visitors’ needs, with a special focus on providing them a safe and comfortable environment.
Training centres and competition venues have also been fully prepared, with the final touches added to the sports facilities.
Several venues across the kingdom will be hosting the various sporting events. Entrance for fans to watch the action at all the locations will be free of charge.
The venues include the National Stadium, which is within Isa Sports City where its three indoor halls, outdoor 3x3 basketball and beach volleyball courts, and the Bahrain Football Association’s futsal hall will all be utilised.
The Khalifa Sports City Arena, its outdoor field, and the swimming arena will also be locations for competitions, along with the Um Al Hassam Sports Complex’s arenas, the Bahrain Tennis Federation and Bahrain Tennis Club courts, the Al Ahli Club sports hall, American University of Bahrain, British School of Bahrain, Al Areen Wildlife Park, and Padel Plus in Bahrain Mall.
The 26 sports that will be a part of the Gymnasiade’s multi-day programme are archery, athletics, badminton, 3x3 basketball, beach volleyball, boxing, chess, dance sport, fencing, aerobic gymnastics, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, handball, judo, karate, orienteering, padel, Para athletics, Para badminton, Para judo, Para swimming, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, and wrestling.
During the event, a cultural day will be held on Sunday, during which the visiting delegations will be taken on a tour of various sites across the kingdom and learn of Bahrain’s rich culture and history. Later that evening, an event will be held at the Gymnasiade’s Fan Zone at Isa Sports City, where the delegations will be presenting various aspects of their culture with dance, music, and the like.
Hosts Bahrain are set to field 385 athletes in the Gymnasiade, part of a full, 463-strong delegation.
As part of the lead-up to this year’s event, the kingdom successfully held the sixth edition of the School Games, which saw 70 private and public schools from across the nation take medals. These efforts underscore Bahrain’s commitment to hosting a world-class occasion that strengthens cultural ties and showcases the country’s capabilities in organising international sports events.
The first-ever Gymnasiade took place in 1974, hosted by West Germany, with 13 nations taking part and just two sports held. It has grown over the years and its last edition in 2022, which was held in Normandy, France, featured 69 countries competing in 20 sports.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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