Athletics leads participation at Bahrain 2024 International School Games

By Emmanuel Sekago

Athletics, often referred to as the “mother of all games,” tops the list of sports in the upcoming International School Games in Bahrain 2024, with 518 participants, comprising 285 male and 233 female athletes. Swimming follows closely with 401 athletes, featuring 184 boys and 138 girls.

This tournament marks the largest in the history of international school sports, running from October 23 to 31 in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The event will see a total of 3,674 athletes, including 1,542 girls and 2,172 boys, competing across 26 different sports. The wide variety of sports featured at this global gathering underscores the athletes’ passion for competition and highlights Bahrain’s commitment to hosting a memorable event.

Among other notable sports, shooting will see 90 participants (42 girls and 48 boys), while badminton includes 133 players (66 girls and 67 boys). In basketball 3×3, 239 players will compete (87 girls and 152 boys).

Beach volleyball has attracted 113 players (39 girls and 74 boys), while boxing will feature 204 participants (43 girls and 161 boys). The chess competition includes 117 players (46 girls and 71 boys), and sports dance will see 39 athletes (22 girls and 17 boys) take the stage.

In fencing, 101 participants (52 girls and 49 boys) are set to compete, while aerial gymnastics will have 39 athletes (34 girls and 5 boys).

Artistic gymnastics will feature 88 athletes (51 girls and 37 boys), and rhythmic gymnastics will have an equal split of 80 competitors (40 girls and 40 boys). Handball will involve 189 players (79 girls and 110 boys).

Judo will see 166 participants (55 girls and 111 boys), karate features 199 athletes (86 girls and 113 boys), and orienteering has 36 competitors (20 girls and 16 boys). In padel, 47 participants (10 girls and 37 boys) will compete.

For athletes with special needs, athletics will have 43 participants (16 girls and 27 boys), badminton will feature 5 players (1 girl and 4 boys), judo will have 16 competitors (6 girls and 10 boys), and swimming will see 33 athletes (9 girls and 24 boys).

Table tennis will involve 137 participants (47 girls and 90 boys), taekwondo has attracted 322 athletes (138 girls and 184 boys), tennis will see 93 participants (37 girls and 56 boys), and wrestling will feature 279 athletes (89 girls and 190 boys).

This impressive turnout and the diversity of sports reflect the significance of the Bahrain 2024 International School Games, making it a landmark event in the world of school sports.