MANAMA, Oct 22: The First GCC Games - Bahrain 11 - concluded with a victory for Bahrain in the football competition, with the final match attended by Bahrain Olympic Committee President HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, at the Bahrain National Stadium in Riffa. The event, which has spanned 13 days, witnessed competition from 1,500 athletes from the GCC countries in 10 group and individual disciplines. The closing medal award ceremony followed the football final match between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, which ended in a 3-1 win for Bahrain, ending on a high for the games host, and setting the standard for the next GCC Games to be hosted by Saudi Arabia in 4 years time. At the final medal count, Kuwait took home the highest number of gold medals with a total of 27, followed by Bahrain with 10 and Qatar with 7. In the total medals tally, Kuwait remained victorious with 48, followed by UAE with 31 and Saudi Arabia with 28.

Following the medal ceremony, HH Shaikh Nasser ordered the Games flag to be lowered and handed it to the General Secretary of the KSA Olympic Committee, Rashid Al Harayweel, who in turn passed it to the senior representative from the next host country, Saudi Arabia. The ceremony followed a message of condolence and one minute’s silence at half time for the sad passing of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. In the closing ceremony, the GCC Games Torch was extinguished, concluding the successful event, which has been attended by fans and well-wishers from Bahrain and other GCC countries.

Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, CEO of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, stated during a press conference held on the sidelines of the closure of Bahrain 11: “On behalf of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, I would first like to extend our deepest condolences to His Majesty King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Royal Family of Saudi Arabia and Saudi citizens following the death of the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense H.H Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. It is very sad news to the Kingdom of Bahrain indeed as both countries share joys and sorrows together.”

Sheikh Khalid then added: “Today’s proceedings mark the final day of the Bahrain 11 Games, which represent a turning point in the history of Bahrain in terms of showcasing the Kingdom’s capabilities in organizing such significant sporting events. The event has truly exceeded our expectations, and would not have been possible without the wise leadership of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the cumulative efforts of the executive and organisational committees involved.”

Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Executive Vice President of Bahrain Olympic Committee, said: “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the leadership of the Kingdom of Bahrain and all parties involved in making this event such a big success. Today our eyes are on the next GCC Games that are set to take place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We will provide the Saudi Olympic Committee with all resources and expertise available to make the next GCC games a success.”