Swim Challenge to start from Saudi

Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Swim Challenge 2015 will begin on April 18, said the organisers of the event, Khalid bin Hamad Institution yesterday.

The 31.5 km-long swimming competition will start at 5 am from the Saudi Arabia’s Sunset Resort in Al-Khobar and will finish at the Sofitel, in Zallaq in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The only participant of the challenging race will be Australian swimmer Eric Watson, who will begin his challenge from Saudi Arabia early morning on Saturday.

The Organising Committee also confirmed that a special water show would be organised at the Sofitel Hotel on the same day from 12pm. The show will be open to the public free of charge.

Considering the vagaries in the weather, the Meteorological Department of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications will install special devices to monitor the movement of wind and weather conditions during the race.

The Meteorology Supervisor Alaa Bu Ali will keep on updating the weather data during the race period.

First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sport and President of Bahrain Athletics Association Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa said that the date of the Swimming Challenge, which coincides with the conducting of the Grand Prix Formula One, confirmed Bahrain’s position on the International map.

Shaikh Khalid said that the Kingdom was proactive in hosting and organizing various sports events. “The coincidence of the two major events confirms Bahrain’s ability to organize sporting events simultaneously.”

He added that it would have a profound impact on the success of the global racecar as well as establishing Bahrain’s position as a forerunner in organizing events simultaneously.