EDB sponsors 'Challenge Bahrain'

His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa emphasized his great appreciation for the significant role played by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and Chairman of the Economic Development Board (EDB), in supporting the Kingdom’s development process and working to raise the national economic performance, contributing to the Kingdom’s sustainable development.
Shaikh Nasser, representative of His Majesty the King for Philanthropy and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, indicated the eagerness of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports to translate the directives of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and to endeavor to promote the Kingdom of Bahrain by a variety of means in order to achieve the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030.
His statement follows the EDB’s announcement of their sponsorship of the "Challenge Bahrain" Triathlon competition, taking place on December 6th. This will take the form of a joint venture between the global Challenge Family and the Nasser bin Hamad Foundation to provide strategic sponsorship for the Triathlon event, the first of its kind to be held in the Middle East.
His Highness Nasser bin Hamad pointed to the importance of investing in this global competition, which will see a large turnout from countries all over the world, and also in the promotion of the Kingdom of Bahrain which has seen a significant revival in certain fields thanks to the keen vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Shaikh Nasser praised the continuous support provided by the EDB for the sports movement in the Kingdom and for their continued sponsorship of tournaments and activities taking place on Bahraini soil. He also commended their belief in the importance that sport has in promoting the Kingdom of Bahrain in all respects.
His Excellency Kamal bin Ahmed, Minister of Transportation and Acting Chief Executive of the EDB, said: "We in the Economic Development Board are proud to be a strategic sponsor of this event, the first of its kind to take place in Bahrain. Our country enjoys a long tradition of various sporting activities and has hosted sporting tournaments at different levels, including the Bahrain Grand Prix. We are pleased that the Kingdom of Bahrain was selected to host such an impressive event."
HE Kamal bin Ahmed added: "We praise the support of His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa for this event and are confident that this will be a successful competition, one which will serve to put Bahrain on the map as the hub for triathlon sport in the Middle East."
Dr Shaikh Saqr bin Salman Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Triathlon Federation, commented: "The Challenge Family’s decision to organize their first Middle Eastern race in Bahrain amounts to an affirmation of Bahrain’s potential to host large international events in the field of sport. We are gratified by the support that the Economic Development Board has shown for this initiative and which has already proved to be exceedingly useful. It is important to stress that the efforts that have been exerted by the organizing committee, in collaboration with various stakeholders, will contribute greatly to realizing the success of this event, to be attended by the elite of sporting fans."
He went on to mention that the organizing committee authorized the tournament itinerary of swimming, cycling and running after full consultation and coordination with the relevant authorities. The swimming competition is to take place in Bahrain Bay, covering a distance of 1.9km, after which the cycling race will set off, passing over the Shaikh Isa Causeway and then heading down to the end of Amwaj Islands Road. The bikes will then cross the Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Bridge, go past the Al Fateh Grand Mosque and the Sheraton Hotel, then take the fast route to Hamad town. From there the race will follow the street stretching from the Bahrain University to Awali and return to the Bahrain International Circuit for 90km. The running race will then set out from the Bahrain International Circuit and into the surrounding area to cover a distance of 21.2km.