Fourth Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games

BAHRAIN’s delegation has arrived in Incheon, in South Korea where the Fourth Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) takes place from tomorrow (JUNE 29).

This eight-day event provides a large-scale regional competitive arena for a wide range of categories such as Muay Thai, dance sport, billiards, futsal and electronic gaming over 100 events. Other disciplines are chess, wrestling, bowling and swimming.

The Bahrainis, who reached the Far East after a nine-hour journey, were received on arrival by delegation director Saud Al Ghenaim and his deputy Hamad Al Baker.

The nationals will be spearheaded by 29 athletes in three sporting disciplines – billiards, bowling and swimming. Their delegation is being headed by Bahrain Olympic Committee sports Affairs executive director Noaman Al Hassan.

Two teams are spearheading Bahrain in the billiards event, as they had their first training session soon after their arrival yesterday. The men’s squad comprises Ali Hassan, Saleh Ahmed, Ali Mohammed and Abdulla Isa.

The women’s team consists of Jumeya Al Doseri, Nahla Al Sunni, Fatma Yousuf and May Al Doseri. The teams arrived in Incheon along with Bahrain Billiards and Snooker Federation member Hussain Bukhammas.

Bahrain also sent eight prominent athletes for the bowling competition, and already had three practice sessions since reaching Korea. They include Masood Saberi, Ahmed Al Goud, Isa Abduljabbar and Taha Ebrahim, all due to take part in the men’s section.

Fatema Khalid, Noora Al Janahi, Majda Taher and Layla Janahi will be competing in the women’s events. Bahrain Bowling Association president Abdulla Al Dossary has travelled along with both squads.

In swimming, Farhan Saleh Faraj and Sameera Al Bitar are the Bahrain hopefuls in the swimming championships. Faraj will participate in the men’s 50m, 100m and 200m style, while Sameera Al Bitar is in the fray in the women’s 50m and 100m freestyle contests, as well in the 50m breaststroke. They are joined by manager Khalid Ahmed.

The Bahrain delegation, meanwhile, attended the flag hoisting ceremony held yesterday at the athletes’ village in Incheon City. Samira Al Bitar was the athlete to hold the Bahraini flag on this occasion.

The Village Mayor, along with senior officials from Bahrain administrative delegation, attended the flag hoisting ceremony , acts as a green light of Bahrain’s official participation in the games.

The Bahrain Olympic Committee (QOC) is looking for a positive participation in the 2013 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games based on its commitment and pioneering strategy to attend All sports competitions at both continental and international levels.

The Fourth Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games will be held over eight days and features nine sports. This high-profile Games is a test event for the 17th Asian Games, which will also be hosted by Incheon the following year.

The Fourth AIMAG will be the first OCA Games to combine the Asian Indoor Games and the Asian Martial Arts Games.

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