THE Third Schools Mini Olympics is all set to commence today with more than 3,000 students from 24 government and private schools in the fray.
Competition will be held in nine disciplines - football, basketball, volleyball, athletics, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, aquathlon and disability sports.
The third edition of the Mini Olympics, which runs until May 5, is organised by Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) in cooperation with Ministry of Education.
Today’s programme is scheduled to begin at 9.30am at the Bahrain Volleyball Association gym at Isa Sports City in Riffa.
BOC board member and Woman’s Sport Committee chairwoman Shaikha Hayat bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa will deliver the opening remarks. It will be followed by special shows by students from the Indian School and Abdulrahman Kanoo International School.
The organising committee has put the final touches to the opening ceremony and invitations have been sent to top officials from the Education Ministry and schools taking part to attend in the event.
BOC general secretary Abdulrahman Askar stressed the committee’s commitment to the Mini Olympics, which is in line with the directives of His Majesty the King Representative for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and BOC president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Askar added that the tremendous success of the previous two editions of the Mini Olympics was a major incentive for the organisers to hold the event every year.
The BOC general secretary noted that the Mini Olympics aims to expand the foundation of athletes in the kingdom and provide them with the necessary experience as well as promoting their performance in different areas.
It also aims to promote the concept of healthy life style and creating a competitive sports environment among students, spreading knowledge and physical education among the younger generation, besides upholding the principles of Olympic values and ideals.
It also seeks to motivate youngsters to practice sports activities and follow a healthy life style.