HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad conferred ANOC medal

The Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) has rewarded His Highness 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 and President of Bahrain Olympic Committee, with ANOC Medal for His Highness's outstanding efforts on the administration level. 

The Medal, which is the highest honour given by ANOC, was presented to HH Shaikh Nasser by President of ANOC Shaikh Ahmed Al Fahad Al Sabah during a special ceremony held in Qatar under the patronage of Shaikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Prime Minister of Qatar, in the presence of the President of International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach; President of the Asian Football Confederation Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa; and Qatar Olympic Committee President HH Shaikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, as well as a number of senior officials and members of ANOC. 

On this occasion, HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa expressed HH utmost pride and honour to have received such a medal, stating that this honour comes as a crown to all athletes in the Kingdom of Bahrain and GCC states. "This Medal has been made possible thanks to our desire and keenness to implement HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's vision to elevate the Olympic sports in the Kingdom of Bahrain in line with the developments commencing worldwide. This vision has enabled the Kingdom of Bahrain to move forward and prosper while recording incredible achievements at the Olympic level, thus making the country a role model which is appreciated by everyone following the Olympic games," HH Shaikh Nasser said. 

"What makes me happier today is that the event is taking place in our sister country Qatar, and also during the largest sporting event in the world which is for the ANOC, and this will contribute to bring honour to the Kingdom of Bahrain's achievements in the area of sport and in the limelight. I look forward to work together on building a sporting system capable of continuing development and growth in all areas," HH Shaikh Nasser continued, adding: "It's no secret that great efforts have been put in by the Bahrain Olympic Committee towards improving the Bahraini sports arena, especially with the implementation of key decisions which have contributed to optimising the organisation, operation and management of the committee and other sport associations and federations. Thanks to this we have managed to improve the technical area in sport associations, -and this has reflected on the ground with the amazing achievements recorded by Bahrain in different sport events". 

HH Shaikh Nasser considered that receiving this honour was also a crown for the Bahraini sport and all its members, explaining: "This would not have been made possible without the teamwork of all the Bahraini athletes who have vastly contributed to the success of Bahrain in sports. This is a success for all to celebrate in the Kingdom, and for me personally this will motivate me to give more and produce more efforts in implementing short-term and long-term programmes and plans to build upon our momentum to ensure maintaining the success achieved in this area."

Moreover, HH Shaikh Nasser praised Shaikh Fahad bin Ahmed Al Sabah for his strong contributions to sports and athletes and for his role in serving this field for very long period. HH Shaikh Nasser also lauded the efforts of Mr. Bach in developing the Olympic games worldwide, extending appreciations also to the extraordinary work done by Shaikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani in preparing for the General Assembly meeting of ANOC. 

It's worth noting that the event was inaugurated by Shaikh Ahmed Al Fahad Al Sabah with a speech where-in he heaped praise on the sincere efforts made by HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and HH's major role in instilling the noble principles proclaimed by the International Olympic Committee as well as HH's contributions to the Bahraini sports, notably the achievements recorded by the Bahraini athletes in the recently-held Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, winning a Gold medal and a Silver medal. 

Similarly, Shaikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani lauded the efforts of HH Shaikh Nasser during a key note he delivered in the event. Shaikh Joaan highlighted the role of HH Shaikh Nasser in boosting the joint efforts of the GCC states in the Olympic sports towards development and improving the Bahraini sports and lifting it to the highest levels, something which has allowed HH to become a prominent sport personality at Bahraini, Arabian and International levels. Meanwhile, Mr. Bach applauded the development achieved by the Bahraini sports thanks to the close attention being paid to it by HH Shaikh Nasser, allowing it to prosper in Brazil during the Olympic games. Worth citing is that HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa arrived in Qatar earlier and was received by Shaikh Saud bin Ali Al Thani, Deputy President of Qatar Olympic Committee and several senior officials