MANAMA, Bahrain, June 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This October, Bahrain will host the first ever Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Games, uniting the six GCC nations in one "Olympic-like" competition.
"This will be the biggest and most prestigious event for an athlete at the Gulf level," Bahrain Olympic Committee Secretary General Shaikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Khalifa said.
"Bahrain One One," the official 2011 GCC Games name, will be held October 11 to 22 in various sporting venues across the country and features competitions in soccer, bowling, road cycling, swimming, basketball, handball, volleyball, bowling and endurance horseback riding. More than 1,500 athletes are anticipated to compete in the games' 11 categories, including "goal ball," a sport designed for blind athletes.
"We expect Bahrain 11 will attract major attention from people all around the globe, and as such, we have a responsibility to present the best of what Bahrain has to offer and demonstrate its ability in hosting events of this size and caliber," Shaikh Ahmed said in an interview with Gulf Daily News.
To this aim, the opening ceremony will showcase Bahrain's rich culture to the government dignitaries and sports personalities in attendance, as well as pay tribute to the country's competing athletes who seek to defend their home soil.
"It will be a challenge for all our sportsmen and women to perform," Shaikh Ahmed said. "We are pushing our teams to go for gold. We hope to see as many of our athletes on the podium."
Host responsibilities for the GCC Games will alternate between GCC countries every four years. The next games in 2015 will be held in Saudi Arabia.
SOURCE Kingdom of Bahrain
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