Bahrain to host International Children's Games in 2010

Manama: Bahrain will host the 2010 International Children's Games, the president of the International Children's Games (ICG), Torsten Rasch, said yesterday in Iceland.

"The Manama 2010 ICG Bid Committee communicated a strong bid presentation that convinced the ICG Assembly of their ability to host the World's Youth in the Kingdom of Bahrain," he said during the ICG general assembly in Reykjavik, Iceland.

The decision to award the games to Bahrain was taken one day ahead of the opening ceremony of the Reykjavik International Children's Games. The president of the General Organisation for Youth and Sports, Shaikh Fawaz Bin Mohammad Al Khalifa, welcomed the decision to hold the games in Manama.

"Bahrain is ready to host the International Children's Games in 2010.

"As the first Arab country to compete in the International Children's Games in 2005 we are pleased to have received the confidence of the ICG Executive Committee to be the first Arab country to host the Games," he said in a statement sent to Gulf News.

Bahrain has 13 athletes competing at the Games in Reykjavik, Iceland in athletics, handball and golf.

"Bahrain's mission for the 2010 Games will be to assist the ICG in their goals to continue to promote friendship, sportsmanship, understanding and goodwill between the youth attending the games," said Games Bid Committee member Saeed Ahmad Hussain.

Bahrain has 13 athletes competing at the Games in Reykjavik, Iceland in athletics, handball and golf.