\"His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa\'s patronage of the first GCC Games has given impetus to the tournament\'s first edition,\" First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sport (SCYS) Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa said. \"This patronage reflects HM the King\'s continuous support to the GCC joint work in the sport field,\" he added. \"The start of the tournament tomorrow will herald a new phase in GCC cooperation in the sport field,\" Shaikh Khalid pointed out hailing the efforts spearheaded by SCYS Chairman, Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) President and Head of the tournament\'s High Organizing Committee Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa to prepare for the major sporting event. He also welcomed all participating delegations in the first GCC Games (Bahrain 11) describing the event as an opportunity to further solidify brotherly ties binding the GCC countries.