?Bahrain’s sports teams competing in the Fourth Asian Beach Games, which will take place in Phuket, have stepped up their preparations ahead of the 12-day event.
The Games began on Wednesday (November 12), but the official opening ceremony is scheduled for today (November 14), with athletes from 43 countries battling in 26 sports and 169 events.
All of Bahrain’s eight teams have reached the far East earlier this week. The football, handball, volleyball and swimming teams have already touched down in Phuket, followed by the athletics, sailing, triathlon and weightlifting athletes.
Ahmed Al Amer heads the beach football team, being coached by Joao Almeida of Portugal, who named a 10 players for the Games.
The team, who kicked-started their preparations yesterday, will play in a relatively tough Group ‘A’ along with hosts Thailand, Japan and Uzbekistan. The football competition features 14 teams in total, who were divided into four groups.
Elsewhere, the Bahrain’s handball team resumed training in Phuket after their 0-2 defeat to hosts Thailand in a friendly match earlier in the week.
Being managed by national tactician Khalid Al Hiddi, Bahrain is one of 10 nations taking part in the beach handball championship. A new draw has been made after Maldives and Mongolia made late withdrawals from the competition.
Soon after reaching Phuket island, the sailing and triathlon athletes commended their training at their respective events’ venues. Coached by Kasem Ben Jemia, Bahrain sent five strong sailors to Phuket – Abdulla Janahi, Ebrahim Al Dossary, Khalid Shuwaiter, Mehanna Al Dossary and Mustafa Janahi.
Michael Raymond conducted the triathlon squad first practice yesterday. His team includes Hamad Al Mansoori, Mohammed Al Qais, Nawaf Al Daen and Samira Al Baitar.
Meanwhile, the Games flame torch run was held in Patong and Kathu Municipalities yesterday, with Kathu Mayor, civil servants and officials lining up in front of the Kathu Pavilion to receive the Royal Flame the Kathu sheriff had carried from the Phuket City Hall.
The Royal Flame Procession included a leading car, a movable throne, a biking parade and a Flame torch running team.
Representatives from the Bahrain delegation attended yesterday (November 12) the flag-hoisting ceremony at the Sapan Hin Sports Centre.
Bahrain delegation chef de mission Mohammed Al Ghunaim, technical director of the Bahrain Olympic Committee’s (BOC) Lounes Madene and committee treasurer Yaqoub Abdulmohsin all witnessed the function, during which Phuket Governor Nisit Chansomwong presided over the ceremony.
Late on, Nisit disclosed about the Games preparation that following the effect of current monsoon rains, many sides faced obstacles in working on their assignments.
