Manama: Jasour – News Desk
The Bahraini Paralympic Committee achieved a series of accomplishments this year, reflecting the development of special needs sports in the Kingdom of Bahrain. These achievements underscore the country’s solid foundation in all sports, enhancing its leading position in hosting major sporting events and supporting Paralympic sports. Today, the Bahraini Paralympic Committee is a hub of expertise in various Paralympic sports, with significant experience in all related aspects.
The Bahraini Paralympic Committee was established in 2017 by a decree from His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports. Since its inception, the committee has set clear goals to be achieved through comprehensive programs, including training, development, and psychological and social support for athletes.
These goals reflect the committee’s commitment to enhancing Bahrain’s position on the international sports stage. The committee’s efforts have prepared athletes capable of competing in the largest global tournaments, resulting in notable positive outcomes in 2024. Bahrain won 129 medals across various classifications, including 41 gold medals, 44 silver medals, and 44 bronze medals.
This success was not a coincidence but the result of sustainable plans and intensive training programs implemented throughout the year. The mentioned achievements were distributed across various championships and sports events, most notably the 4th West Asian Para Games – Sharjah, the Sharjah International Athletics Meeting, the Fazza International Athletics Championships, the Middle East and North Africa Gulf Athletics Championships – Oman, the 1st Gulf Youth Games – UAE, the Special Olympics Gulf Badminton Competition – Abu Dhabi, the World Athletics Championships – Japan, the Paralympic Games – Paris, the Khalid bin Hamad Games, and the School Games – Bahrain.
The Bahraini Paralympic Committee also hosted several championships in Bahrain, including the Arab Para Badminton Championship, the International Para Badminton Championship, the World Boccia Challenge Championship, the 1st World Para Taekwondo – Poomsae Championship, the Bahrain Open Para Taekwondo Championship, and the World Para Badminton Championship. These events demonstrated the Kingdom’s ability to host Paralympic sports championships, enhancing sports tourism.
The achievements of the Bahraini Paralympic Committee went beyond sports, contributing to significant social, economic, and sports benefits. Socially, these achievements raised awareness about the importance of integrating special needs individuals into society and changed traditional perceptions of their athletic capabilities. Economically, hosting international championships attracted tourists and participants, supporting the local economy and boosting sports tourism in the country.
The Bahraini Paralympic Committee continues to develop special needs sports, committed to providing the necessary support and encouraging athletes to achieve more accomplishments, thereby strengthening Bahrain’s position on the global Paralympic sports map.
