FIVB U21 Worlds cements Bahrain’s status as international sporting destination: Shaikh Khalid

HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa said that hosting the FIVB Volleyball Men’s U21 World Championship 2019 is in line with the BOC’s strategy to cement the Kingdom of Bahrain’s status as an international sporting destination.

Supreme Council for Youth and Sports First Deputy Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) President noted that staging major competitions of this level is a testament to the excellent organisational capabilities and warm hospitality of Bahrain, as well as its great reputation amongst the global sporting community.

HH Shaikh Khalid expressed his great confidence in the tournament’s Higher Organising Committee, under the leadership of Bahrain Volleyball Association (BVA) President Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, on delivering a successful and memorable tournament. He said that hosting this event also further strengthens Bahrain’s relationship with the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), the sport’s governing body.

Meanwhile, Bahrain have finalised their team line-up ahead of the start of competition on Thursday at Shaikh Isa Sports City in Riffa. The squad includes 14 players, all of whom are aged 20 years old or below, making Bahrain one of the youngest teams in the world championship. Four of the players are just 18, including middle blocker Hassan Al Shakhori, opposite hitter Jassim Mohammed Turki, and liberos Hussain Sultan and Bader Nasser.

Opposite hitter Sayed Mohammed Alabar, middle blockers Jawher Fares and Mohammed Jassim Abdulla, setter Mohamed Haroona and outside hitters Hussain Ali Thamer and Hasan Alhaddad are all 19 years of age. The 20-year-olds on the team are setters Saif Yusuf Saif and Yousuf Saif along with opposite hitters Mahmood Ahmed Mohammed and Sayed Yusuf Jaffer.