The Endurance Ride for His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa’s Cup held on Saturday in which as many as 50 riders took part.
HM the King patronized the annual race at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir. He was welcomed on arrival at the Sakhir-located venue by Supreme Council for Youth and Sport Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee President Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, SCYS First Deputy Chairman and Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (BREEF) Chairman Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Khalifa and BREEF deputy chairman Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al-Khalifa.
Shaikh Nasser briefed HM the King on the 120 km-endurance race which attracted 50 riders from Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, in addition to several European contenders.
HM King Hamad met British Ambassador Iain Lindsay, in the presence of Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Minister Dr. Juma’a bin Ahmed Al-Ka’abi.
He received Durrat Al-Bahrain Chairman Abdulhakim Al-Khayyat and Al-Hawaj Group Chief Executive Officer Abdulwahab Al-Hawaj, official sponsor of the championship, as well as riders taking part in the event.
Shaikh Khalid introduced to HM the King a group of riders with special needs, who participated in a 15-kilometre race.
Shaikh Khalid also updated HM the King on plans to hold the Arab Championship for people with special needs, the first of its kind in the world for this category.
HM King Hamad hailed the idea, issuing directives to provide all facilities for riders with special needs, stressing the importance of hosting the first Arab championship for this category in Bahrain.