Serving 50 Years of Friendship

A volleyball court in Korea became a stage for friendship and solidarity on August 29, as the national teams of the Republic of Korea and the Kingdom of Bahrain came together for a special international friendly match marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The match brought together the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bahrain, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Korea, the two national volleyball associations and the Korean Community Association in Bahrain as joint organisers.

More than a sporting exchange, the event highlighted five decades of bilateral partnership, friendship and cultural ties, while creating another opportunity to strengthen people-to-people connections between the two nations through sport.

The occasion also provided an opportunity for the Korean community to convey its sincere solidarity and support for the leadership and people of Bahrain as they stand united in navigating recent conflicts in the Gulf region.

The ceremonial opening serve was performed by South Korean Ambassador Choi Byoung-sun, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Bahraini Embassy in Korea, and Oh Han-nam, president of the Korea Volleyball Association. Oh Han-nam previously served as head coach of the Bahrain national volleyball team in the 1990s.

The friendly match reflected the mutual trust and longstanding relationship built between Korea and Bahrain over five decades, while underscoring the role of sport as a bridge between people and nations.