Grooming champions

Manama : The Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa yesterday affirmed unrelenting support to the development of sports and youth sectors in the Kingdom, while hailing the tremendous success achieved by the Ironman 70.3 Middle East Championship. 

The Championship, which saw the participation of around 1,200 triathletes including around 60 pros, had crowned New Zealander Terenzo Bozzone (3 hours 41 minutes 32 seconds), and Australia’s Sarah Crowley (4 hours 10 minutes 59 seconds) as the new IRONMAN 70.3 Middle East Champions. 

Stressing His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s follow up to the achievements recorded by Bahrainis, the Crown Prince pointed out that the exceptional organisational skills have lead to the success of the event.

Prince Salman was speaking at the closing ceremony of the  Ironman 70.3 Middle East Championship in the presence of HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of Bahrain Olympic Committee and HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth & Sport and President of Bahrain Athletics Association. 

HRH the Crown Prince, while highlighting the contribution of Shaikh Nasser in organising the event, pointed out that the Ironman 70.3 Middle East Championship has contributed in maintaining the reputation of Bahrain and its abilities to host and manage events of great magnitude at the international  level. 

Prince Salman further hailed the participation of the Bahraini youth in the event,  thanks to the active encouragement by HH Shaikh Nasser who paved the way for them to compete against world champions. During the closing ceremony, the winners in the main event were crowned.