From Saudi Arabia to Bahrain: 44.5 km Swim Completed

Under the guidance of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Deputy First Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, Chairman of the General Sports Authority, and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, the Khalid bin Hamad Swimming Challenge took place yesterday, covering a distance of 44.5 kilometers.

The challenge was undertaken by the swimming team consisting of Abdullah Atiya and Louay bin Abdulwahid bin Abdulahad Tashkandi, who swam from Al-Aziziyah at the Sunset Beach Resort in Saudi Arabia to the Zallaq area in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The team was welcomed by Dr. Abdulrahman Askar, CEO of the General Sports Authority, after completing the challenge in 22 hours, 2 minutes, and 24 seconds, navigating strong water currents over the 44.5 km distance.

On this occasion, His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa praised the team's achievement, stating that their success reflects the spirit of determination and perseverance inherent in the youth of Bahrain. He noted that the feat underscores the advanced status of Bahraini sports, achieved through collective effort and continuous support. His Highness also commended the performance of the participating swimmers, emphasizing that such pioneering initiatives help cultivate a culture of challenge and achievement while promoting teamwork, discipline, and persistence among young people.

His Highness added that sporting initiatives with a challenging nature are not only significant from a competitive perspective but also serve as a motivational message for the entire community to embrace sports as a lifestyle. These initiatives reinforce physical and mental health concepts and highlight Bahrain’s distinguished image at regional and international levels.

He affirmed the continued support for such exceptional events, highlighting their positive impact on developing national sports and enhancing the capabilities of Bahraini athletes, wishing all participants continued success in upcoming challenges.