Bahrain Hosts International School Sports Federation General Assembly, Welcoming Global Delegates

By Emmanuel Sekago

On Thursday, October 24, 2024, Bahrain held the General Assembly of the International School Sports Federation (ISF) at The Art Amwaj Hotel, with representatives from 92 countries in attendance. His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma, Bahrain’s Minister of Education, opened the event, delivering a speech on behalf of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. Dr. Juma expressed gratitude for the high patronage of His Majesty, which underscored the Kingdom’s commitment to international school sports.

In his address, Dr. Juma warmly welcomed the ISF delegation and other attending delegations, underscoring Bahrain’s belief in the power of sports to bridge cultures and foster mutual understanding among diverse societies.

Mr. Youssef Belkacemi, ISF Vice President, commended Bahrain’s successful hosting, praising the country’s state-of-the-art facilities and its commitment to welcoming such a large international delegation. Dr. Shaikh Saqr bin Salman Al Khalifa, Chairman of Bahrain Sports Federation for Schools and Universities, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Bahrain’s dedication to developing sports within educational institutions and how the event highlighted Bahrain’s leadership in fostering sports for youth.

The assembly proceeded with a comprehensive agenda, starting with the approval of last year’s minutes from the Mexico meeting. Key discussions included the ISF’s budget for 2024 and 2025 and presentations on future ISF activities. The event provided an essential platform for members to share experiences and contribute insights on advancing the ISF’s mission globally.