Special honour for athletic hero Salwa

The Bahrain Athletics Association (BAA) celebrated the recent achievements of its prominent middle-distance runner Salwa Eid Naser at a glittering ceremony on Thursday. Salwa made a strike of remarkable results in recent years, with her most recent being a well-earned victory in the women’s 400m race in the Diamond League final in Brussels back in September 2018. The 20-year-old athlete routed the 400m in an Asian record 49.55, beating a field that included world champion Phyllis Francis, world indoor champion Courtney Okolo and US champion Shakima Wimbley.

At the special event staged at the Sheraton Hotel, BAA vice-president Mohammed Jalal, assistant secretary general Bader Nasser, along with a number of invited guests representing athletics associations from Asia, presented Salwa with commemorative gifts in appreciation to her outstanding victories. Speaking at the ceremony, Salwa said she is proud for what she has accomplished over the past years and that she is determined to continue her successful run and two major events – the 2019 IAAF World Championship in Doha on September and the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Among top officials invited for the function came from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, India, the Maldives, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and Bhutan, who showed admiration for the noticeable development of athletics in Bahrain in recent years and its capability to compete on a high level. UAE Athletics Association vice President Nasser Al Maamari congratulated the Bahrain Athletic Association on its achievements, which was attributed to the support and excellent management of its president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and the present board members.

Asian Athletics Association (AAA) Vice President Dr. Lalit K Bhanot who is also the Chairman of Athletics Federation of India (AFI) Planning Committee and Adille J Sumariwall, Council Member of International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and AFI President, both congratulated Salwa on her achievements. They shared the same thoughts on the young Bahraini athletes, who made tremendous strides of success over the last four years as a prominent member of Bahrain’s athletics family.

On his part, Mongolian Athletics Federation general secretary Zorigtbaatar Choijavaa said he was amazed by the abilities and performance of the young Bahraini athlete end regional and international competitions and wished her progress.