Bahrain spikers step up Gulf Games preparations

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s senior men’s national volleyball team have stepped up their preparations for their participation in the upcoming Gulf Games in Kuwait, taking place May 13 to 31.

The event’s volleyball tournament is set to be held from May 20 to 25, with Bahrain being one of the six GCC teams competing. The nationals have begun their training for their participation under head coach Issanaye Ramires from Brazil.

They have been practising at the Isa bin Rashid Volleyball Arena at Isa Sports City in Riffa. Recently, the national team welcomed Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) vice-president His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa to a training session.

HH Shaikh Isa was received by Bahrain Volleyball Association (BVA) president Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, along with other high-ranking BOC and BVA officials, the players and team staff.

Shaikh Ali noted that HH Shaikh Isa’s visit gave an inspirational boost to the squad, and it was a reflection of the support and directives of Supreme Council for Youth and Sports first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority president and BOC chief His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Shaikh Ali thanked HH Shaikh Isa for his visit. HH Shaikh Isa is set to be the delegation head for Bahrain’s national teams participating in the Gulf Games. Bahrain were crowned tournament champions in volleyball in the previous two editions of the Gulf Games held in 2011 and 2015, and hope to repeat those successes this year for an unprecedented “three-peat”.

The volleyball tournament at the event is set to be held in league format. The nationals are scheduled to begin their gold medal bid on May 20 when they take on Saudi Arabia at 3pm. They then take on the UAE the next day at 5pm, followed by a match against Oman on May 23 at 3pm.

The Bahrainis face off with Qatar in their penultimate match on May 24 at 5pm, before playing their last game against hosts Kuwait on May 25 at 7pm. The nationals are scheduled to hold a training camp in Egypt on Wednesday in preparation for the event.