His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of Bahrain Athletics Association, Honorary President of BMMAF attended on Friday, together with the Chechen Republic President HE Ramzan Akhmadovich Kadyrov, the opening ceremony of the Cultural Festival, marking the 200th anniversary of the Chechen Republic capital, Grozny. 

 

Before the kick-off of the event, HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa delivered remarks on this occasion, saying: "Your Excellency Ramzan Akhmadovich Kadyrov, President of the Chechen Republic, it's my honour to extend to Your Excellency and to the Chechen people the greetings and warm congratulations of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of the Kingdom of Bahrain on the occasion of Grozny's 200th anniversary. We look at your country with full pride in what your nation has achieved and how the Chechen Republic has developed across all sectors thanks to your wise leadership. We, in the Kingdom of Bahrain, are ready to push forward our cultural, economic and sports ties with the Chechen Republic. We hope to see more bilateral visits by our leadership. I would like to extend my sincerest appreciation and gratitude for your warm hospitality in your beautiful country." 

 

The ceremony kicked off with folkloric performances stemmed from the Chechen heritage, after which nationalist songs were delivered by Chechen artists. 

 

After the ceremony, President Kadyrov organised a banquet on HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa honour in his presidential palace. The event was attended by Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the Minister of Tolerance in UAE as well as several ministers, officials and VIPs from the Chechen Republic. 

 

During the banquet, HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa gave a commemorative gift to President Kadyrov; a genuine Bahraini "dagger". HE President Kadyrov expressed his deep thanks and appreciation to HH for this gift. In conclusion, a Chechen painter had the honour to gift HH a painting on the occasion of his visit to the Chechen Republic.