Parliament to debate specialist sports coaches for public schools

TDT | Manama

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A proposal to appoint a specialist sports coach in every public school will be debated and voted on in Parliament Tuesday, after unanimous backing from the Services Committee.

Submitted by MPs Dr Mahdi Al Shuwaikh, Abdulnabi Salman, Mamdouh Al Saleh, Hassan Ebrahim, and Dr Hisham Al Ashiri, the plan aims to identify and develop pupils with sporting talent.

Dr Al Shuwaikh said: “Specialist coaches will nurture athletically gifted students and refine their skills.” The Services Committee recommended approval, citing public-interest grounds.

The Ministry of Education said it supports nurturing student talent but argued that existing PE teachers and school competitions already achieve this. PE curricula cover team and individual sports, and teachers have the expertise to spot and develop promising athletes.

The ministry highlighted Bahrain’s 2024 International School Games, where students won 66 medals, ranking fourth among Arab nations and 13th globally, and success at the Gymnasiade international school championship.

It added that school sports will continue to expand, encouraging participation and supporting talented students, and said it remains ready to provide further clarification to Parliament.