Bahrain First in Middle East to Host World Para Badminton

Under the patronage of Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of the General Sports Authority, and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, the closing ceremony of the World Para Badminton Championship – Bahrain 2026 was held in the presence of Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Vice President of the General Sports Authority.

The championship was organised by the Bahrain Paralympic Committee in cooperation with the Bahrain Badminton and Squash Federation, marking a historic milestone as Bahrain became the first country in the Middle East to host this prestigious global event.

The closing ceremony was attended by Dr Abdulrahman Sadiq Askar, CEO of the General Sports Authority; Shaikh Mohammed bin Duaij Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Paralympic Committee; Ali bin Mohammed Al Majed, Secretary-General of the Bahrain Paralympic Committee; along with senior officials, ambassadors, sponsors and distinguished guests.

On the occasion, Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa expressed his sincere appreciation to Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa for his generous patronage and continued support of the البطولة. He noted that such patronage reflects Shaikh Khalid’s ambitious vision to support and develop various sports, particularly para sports, further reinforcing Bahrain’s status as a hub for major international sporting events.

He praised the outstanding organisational standards demonstrated throughout the championship, highlighting the high level of professionalism and national capabilities in hosting international events. The success of the tournament, he said, reflects Bahrain’s growing standing on the global sporting map and its firm commitment to empowering athletes of determination while strengthening their presence at regional and international platforms.

Shaikh Salman also commended the significant efforts of the Bahrain Paralympic Committee, led by Shaikh Mohammed bin Duaij Al Khalifa, in hosting international tournaments in the Kingdom and advancing the development of para sports. These efforts, he added, contribute to promoting a culture of sporting inclusion and enhancing international partnerships in the field.