interview The Spirit of Sportsmanship President of the Olympic Committee and an avid sportsman himself, HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, attended the last home game at the club prior to COVID. “We’re very privileged that HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa has consented to become a patron of the club,” says Mr. Cunningham. “HH Shaikh Nasser has a vision of Bahrain developing excellence in all the sports, as does HH Shaikh Khalid so they see places like this where the youth can come and learn a sport as vital in that growth and development,” he adds. With sports, children are taught the values of camaraderie – working as a team all while staying fit. “I think that is the main message that HH Shaikh Nasser is sending: that it’s great to be successful as a country, but it’s also important to have a healthy population through people playing sports and participating for the benefit of their mental and physical health,” says Mr. Cunningham. Last year, BRFC hosted First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of the General Sports Authority and President of Bahrain Olympic Committee, HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa for the Bahrain Gaelic festival. “We had around 40 teams coming from Ireland and the UK to participate in the event. HH Shaikh Khalid presented the trophies to the winning teams,” says Mr. Stapleton. Rugby in Bahrain With the inception of the Rugby Board for Bahrain, an initiative by HH Shaikh Khalid, new life will be breathed into the presence of the sport in the Kingdom. “The entity will be separate from the BRFC and intends to promote rugby in the Kingdom with an emphasis set on schools… similar to what was done in Hong Kong which now has a strong presence in rugby in Asia,” explains Mr. Cunningham. “Bahrain will now become affiliated to the Asian Rugby Union which is in turn affiliated to the Ireland and the UK headquarters,” he adds. Most students in Bahrain tend to veer towards football and basketball, but Mr. Cunningham believes introducing them to the sport while they are young will build an interest. “Once the board is established, we will give them all the input they need and help them appoint somebody to start it in the schools,” he says. The Royal Rumble Boxing enthusiasts are in for a treat this month as BRFC will be hosting a spectacular sporting event to raise funds for the Royal Humanitarian Fund. “The Royal Rumble Charity Boxing Dinner is being held on February 4under the patronage of Supreme Council for Youth and Sport First Deputy Chairman, General Sports Authority Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee President Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, in partnership with the Bahrain Boxing Federation,” states Mr. Cunningham. During the event, boxers from Bahrain’s Royal Guard will go head-to-head with The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. “I had initially discussed having a boxing event at BRFC with Tony Davis who is the coach at Bahrain Boxing Federation. When HH Shaikh Khalid visited the club to talk about sports, he decided to organise something special which would put Bahrain on the map,” he says. The event will also be attended by International Boxing legends, Joe Calzaghe and Darren Barker, who will be flying in for the event. “It’s actually going to be a very exciting weekend. In fact, Joe and Darren will both be at the weigh in the night before the match which will be open to the public,” he concludes. February 2022 37 www.bahrainthismonth.com
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mjk0MTkxMQ==