The participation was also by Crown Prince of Dubai, HH Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Colonel HH Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and First Lieutenant HH Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, in addition to Knights representing fifteen countries.
Upon his arrival at the International Endurance Village in Sakhir, HM the King was received by BDF Commander in Chief, Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Colonel HH Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Lieutenant HH Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and Deputy Chairman of the Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (BREEF) HH Shaikh Faisal Bin Rashid Al Khalifa.
HM the King met with the Heads of the participating delegations led by UAE Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, HH Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, HH Dr. Shaikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Secretary-General of the international Council for Military Sports (CISM) Colonel Alexandre Morisod.
HM the King welcomed all the participants and thanked them for taking part in the Championship which is held in Bahrain coinciding with its celebrations with the National Day and HM the King’s Accession to the Throne, praising the strong relations bonding Bahrain with their countries, and expressing Bahrain’s pride with hosting such great international sports event, together with an elite of the world’s knights.
HM the King highlighted the prestigious role of Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) in setting up such International Military Championship out of its noble message and goals, for the great importance of sports in the military life, stressing the overwhelming fan of the Equestrian Sport and Endurance races, which are now the concern of many countries of the world.
HM the King praised the sincere efforts of the Championship’s committees to make it successful in a brotherly atmosphere, aspiring to hold more of these championships which contribute in consolidating and developing the cooperation and friendship relations between the friendly and brotherly countries. HM the King stressed Bahrain’s concern with such genuine Arabic Sport, where its knights achieved honorable accomplishments through their participation.
For their part, the Heads of the participating delegations expressed their thanks and appreciation for the Kingdom of Bahrain for hosting the Championship, which reflects HM the King’s concern.
Meanwhile, HM the King followed the race and exchanged talks with the participating knights in the Championship.
Then, the closing ceremony started where the vice president of the International Council for Military Sports lieutenant colonel Abdul Hakim Alsheno, and the Secretary-General of the international Council for Military Sports (CISM) Colonel Alexandre Morisod wreathed HM the King with the Sash of the (CISM) to embody the principles of world peace through supporting the military sport on a global level.
They also wreathed UAE Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, HH Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum with the International Council’s Sash for the Military Sports for pioneering in the military sports and winning the two medallions of the individual and team in the World’s Endurance Championship held this year in London.
Meanwhile, Dubai’s Crown Prince HH Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum was crowned with the Knight’s Medal for supporting the Military Sport in UAE and winning the Gold Medal in the World’s Endurance Championship in London.
The Commander of the Royal Guard, Colonel Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa was also crowned with the Medal of the Highest Officer in recognition of including the Endurance Sport in the International Council for Military Sports.
First Lieutenant, HH Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa was also crowned with the Knight’s Medallion in recognition of his efforts in organizing the First World Military Endurance Championship (WMEC).
Then, the Secretary-General of the International Council of Military Sports (CISM) crowned HH Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum the Crown Prince of Dubai, in recognition of winning the first place in this Championship, and HH First Lieutenant Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa for winning the second place, and the Knight Corporal Abdul Rahman Al Zayed for winning the third place.
Then, the musical band played UAE national anthem.
HM the King congratulated HH Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, HH Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and the Knight Corporal Abdul Rahman Al Zayed for winning the Championship, praising their great efforts, and highlighting the great organization and preparation of the First (WMEC), wishing all more progress and success.