HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of West Asian Athletics Association and President of Bahrain Athletics Association, has extended his sincerest congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, His Royal HIghness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, First Deputy Prime Minister, and HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC), on Bahrain's historical achievement in the 18th Asian Games which concluded recently in Jakarta.

The Kingdom ranked 11th among 45 Asian countries which participated in the event and first at Arab level after bagging 26 medals, including 12 golds seven silvers and seven bronzes en route to making its best record in this event.

On this occasion, HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa stressed that the historic accomplishment is the fruit of HM the King's constant support and HH Shaikh Nasser's interest and follow-up, pointing out this exploit is a source of pride for the Bahraini sports.

HH Shaikh Khalid expressed his pride at the distinguished achievement of Bahrain's national men's and women's athletics teams which claimed 25 medals, including 12 golds, seven silvers and six bronzes to place the Kingdom on a par with China in the number of the gold medals.

HH Shaikh Khalid underscored that the Kingdom's achievement in the Asian Games in Jakarta embodies the promises announced by Bahrain Athletics Association to increase the Kingdom's harvest in this year's edition compared to 2014, where the team won nine gold medals, while the Kingdom's position improved from 12th to 11th in relevant comparison.

"Our accomplishment in Jakarta is a reaffirmation of the steady progress of Bahrain's sports, and it reinforced the high position of the Bahraini athletics," he said.

"This achievement affirms our commitment to the ‘Year of Gold’ theme which was launched by HH Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Our champions have been up to our expectations and they were true representatives of our country. They overcame various tough challenges to writing history with 12 gold medals," HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa added.

Concluding his statement, HH Shaikh Khalid praised the efforts made by Bahrain Olympic Committee, led by HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, to prepare for this tournament and make such a historical achievement, noting the role played by BOC's Secretary-General. Abdulrahman Askar, and all its members.