Council also examines restaurant calorie disclosure, youth employment reforms and Youth City 2030

His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty’s Representative for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, chaired the Council’s 2026 meeting in the presence of its members.

The meeting reviewed several strategic initiatives and projects, approving recommendations and decisions aimed at developing Bahrain’s youth and sports sectors, improving quality of life and strengthening the Kingdom’s position in youth empowerment and sport.

The Council was briefed on an initiative to introduce a special visa for professional athletes, aimed at creating a comprehensive framework regulating the entry and residence of professional athletes and their family members.

The proposed visa is intended to support the development of professional sport, protect athletes’ rights, simplify administrative procedures, support national clubs and enhance the competitiveness of Bahrain’s sports sector.

The Council directed the completion of the necessary procedures to approve the initiative and tasked the General Sports Authority with coordinating with the Ministry of Interior and other relevant authorities.

The meeting also reviewed an initiative promoting health and quality of life through greater calorie awareness. The Council stressed the importance of national programmes that encourage healthy eating and lifestyles.

The Ministry of Health was directed, in coordination with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, to examine the implementation of a system requiring restaurants to disclose the calorie content of food served. The authorities were also asked to develop appropriate monitoring and enforcement mechanisms supported by the necessary legal and regulatory frameworks.

The Council further discussed legislative amendments aimed at expanding opportunities for young people in the labour market and equipping them with the skills and practical experience needed for employment.

The Minister of Labour presented proposals to develop the labour market system, strengthen its resilience, expand social security protection and improve access to unemployment benefits. The Council stressed the need to keep legislation aligned with labour market changes while strengthening training and employment opportunities for young Bahrainis.