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Kingdom of Bahrain To Host The 3rd West Asian Paralympic Games 2021

by Michelle Dsouza

Sun, 22 December 2019

Kingdom of Bahrain To Host The 3rd West Asian Paralympic Games 2021

His Excellency Sheikh Mohamed bin Duaij Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Paralympic Committee (BPC), expressed his pleasure in Bahrain being selected to host the 3rd West Asian Paralympic Games 2021, taking place from the 25th of September until the 2nd of October, 2021. The tournament will be the largest sports tournament for athletes with impairments, with more than 1,000 athletes and players expected to participate. This announcement falls in line with the goals and initiatives of His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who represents His Majesty the King in charitable works and youth affairs, as well as the National Security Advisor and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, for hosting various sporting championships with the support of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa. 

The announcement was made at a press conference organized by the BPC at the Bahrain Sports Federation for People with Disabilities, which was attended by BPC members, para athletes, and members of the press. The tournament will be held under the supervision of the Executive Office of the West Asia Para Federation. 

Further expressing his delight at the press conference, His Excellency Sheikh Mohamed bin Duaij Al Khalifa stated, “the Kingdom of Bahrain is now seen to be a destination where it is able to host various sporting activities for a diverse range of individuals”. 

The President of the BPC conveyed his deep gratitude and appreciation for the West Asia Para Federation for its confidence in Bahrain to host the tournament, indicating Bahrain’s readiness and determination of the administrators and technicians to be able to execute this flawlessly, as well as showcasing Bahrain as a place where sporting events such as this are welcomed and will continue to be hosted in the country. 

Secretary-General of the BPC, Mr. Ali Al Majed, stated that the tournament will welcome 12 countries who will participate in six games. “This tournament will be the largest Paralympic event hosted in the Kingdom of Bahrain, where the BPC aims to continue hosting regional and international meetings and tournaments to position Bahrain as a forefront for Paralympic competitions as well as support and train potential and existing Bahraini para athletes to excel.”

President of the West Asia Para Federation, Dr. Abdul Razzak Bani Rashid further instilled his confidence in Bahrain’s capability to host a major tournament such as this, allowing the Kingdom to be in the forefront of hosting regional as well as international tournaments for various sports and activities. 

Secretary-General of the West Asia Para Federation, Dr Mesbah Jaafar indicated that the 3rd West Asian Paralympic Games 2021 will be the largest, transcending the previous tournaments with the high-level preparations for athletes with impairments, as well as emphasizing the Federation’s standards and expectations to prepare the athletes for the games. 

The press conference also saw parties come together for a signing ceremony to announce Bahrain as the next host of the West Asian Para Games. The agreement was signed by His Excellency Sheikh Mohamed bin Duaij Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Paralympic Committee, Dr Abdul Razzak Ahmed Bani Rashid, President of the West Asia Para Federation, as well as Dr Mesbah Jaafar, Secretary-General of the West Asia Para Federation, and Mr. Ali Al-Majed, Secretary-General of the Bahrain Paralympic Committee.

Attendees of the press conference praised the work of the Paralympic Committee in their successive achievements and in further promoting Bahrain as an ideal destination for hosting such prestigious and important regional and international tournaments.