Bahrain set for Sixth Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain is set to compete in the sixth Islamic Solidarity Games, scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 7 to 21. The Kingdom will send one of its largest delegations to date, comprising around 182 participants, including athletes, coaches, administrators, medical staff, and media representatives. They will represent Bahrain in 19 sports, highlighting the country’s expanding presence in regional and international competition.

Bahraini athletes will take part in athletics, para-athletics, 3x3 basketball, handball, volleyball, camel racing, duathlon, show jumping, e-sports, shooting, jiu-jitsu, judo, karate, muay thai, weightlifting, table tennis, wrestling, and para-powerlifting.

Track Record of Success

Bahrain’s participation in the Islamic Solidarity Games spans nearly two decades, beginning with its debut in Makkah in 2005. The second edition, which was scheduled to take place in Iran, was cancelled. The Kingdom then returned for the third Games in Palembang, Indonesia, in 2013, followed by appearances in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2017, and Konya, Türkiye, in 2022.

Across these five editions, Bahraini athletes have earned 51 medals, including 23 gold, 13 silver, and 15 bronze, showing steady progress through the years. The most recent Games in Konya 2022 were particularly successful, with Bahrain collecting 23 medals (nine gold, seven silver, and seven bronze) to secure eighth place overall among 44 nations.

This consistent improvement has established Bahrain as one of the Islamic world’s most competitive sporting nations. The team now heads to Riyadh looking to build on that momentum and further strengthen the Kingdom’s regional standing.

Handball Team Preparation

As the wider delegation finalizes its preparations, the men’s handball national team has already begun training under newly appointed Swedish head coach Robert Hedin.

Hedin, who took charge earlier this year, has selected a 26-player squad that blends seasoned experience with emerging talent. The team is captained by Hussain Al Sayyad and includes veterans Mohammed Abdulhussain, Mohammed Habib Ahmed, Hassan Al Samaheeji, Hassan Madan, and Hussain Mahfoudh. They are joined by promising players such as Mohammed Habib Nasser, Hassan Mirza, and Qassim Qambar.

The squad began its training locally at Barbar Club before traveling to Bosnia and Herzegovina for an external camp, where they are scheduled to play friendly matches against the Bosnian national team and a European club. After returning home, the players will resume domestic training ahead of their departure for Riyadh.

The Islamic Solidarity Games will serve as a valuable test for Bahrain’s handball side as they continue preparations for two major upcoming tournaments: the 2026 Asian Men’s Handball Championship in Kuwait and the 2027 IHF Men’s World Championship qualifiers in Germany.

A Unified Sporting Effort

The Islamic Solidarity Games, organized by the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF), bring together 57 nations from across the Islamic world. Recognized as the third-largest multi-sport event globally, after the Olympic and Asian Games, the competition will take place at several world-class venues throughout Riyadh.

For Bahrain, participation in this edition represents both continuity and ambition. It reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing commitment to excellence while offering a new opportunity to achieve milestones on one of the Islamic world’s biggest sporting stages.