His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, Vice President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, reviewed the preparations of Bahrain’s men’s national handball and basketball teams ahead of their participation in the 20th Asian Games, to be hosted by Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.

The visits form part of the Bahrain Olympic Committee’s commitment to closely monitoring the readiness of the Kingdom’s national teams ahead of the major continental sporting event.

His Highness began his tour by visiting the national handball team’s training session, where he was received by Mr. Ali Isa Ishaqi, President of the Bahrain Handball Federation, alongside a number of Federation Board members and the national team’s technical and administrative staff.

His Highness watched part of the training session and was briefed on the team’s preparation programme and overall readiness. During his meeting with the players, His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa conveyed to them the greetings of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of the General Sports Authority, and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, along with His Highness’s best wishes for success.

His Highness stressed the importance of maintaining focus, determination, and commitment throughout the remaining preparation period to ensure the team reaches the highest possible level of readiness before the Games begin.

His Highness praised the national handball team’s wealth of experience and distinguished standing at the Asian level, particularly after finishing as runners-up at the previous edition of the Asian Games. He expressed confidence in the players’ ability to represent the Kingdom of Bahrain with distinction, give their utmost in competition, and achieve the best possible results.

His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa then visited the national basketball team’s training session in the presence of Bahrain Basketball Association Vice President Mr. Nader Al-Awadhi and a number of Board members. His Highness met with the players and the technical and administrative staff, while also observing part of the training session and reviewing the team’s preparation programme for the Asian Games.

His Highness conveyed to the team the greetings of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and His Highness’s best wishes for success in their upcoming campaign. He emphasised that participation in the Asian Games represents an important opportunity to showcase the development of Bahraini basketball and deliver performances that reflect the progress the sport has achieved in the Kingdom.

His Highness urged the players to redouble their efforts, make the most of the preparation period, and demonstrate fighting spirit, determination, and perseverance. He stressed that representing the Kingdom of Bahrain at one of Asia’s largest sporting events is both a responsibility and an honour, adding that everyone looks forward to seeing the national teams perform at their best and raise the Kingdom’s flag high.

His Highness affirmed that the Bahrain Olympic Committee, under the presidency of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, remains committed to closely following the preparations of the national teams and providing them with all necessary forms of support and assistance, creating the best possible conditions for Bahrain’s athletes to achieve the desired results at the Asian Games.