Manama : Under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain hosts the ISF Gymnasiade Bahrain 2024 during October 23-31.
Approximately 5,551 students from 80 school federations across 71 countries will participate in this event, fostering enthusiasm and a spirit of competition among young athletes from around the globe.
The event kicked off yesterday with the General Assembly of the ISF, before the official opening ceremony held today at the National Stadium.
The ceremony showcased diverse artistic and sports performances that reflect Bahrain’s cultural heritage, embodying values of tolerance, and fraternity, alongside performances from participating countries.
Competitions will take place in several sports facilities prepared for this event, including Isa City Sports City, Khalifa Sports City, Al Ahli Club, Al Najma Club, the American University of Bahrain, the Public Security Officers Club, Bahrain Tennis Club courts, and Um Al Hassam Sports Halls.
The games will feature competitions in 26 sports, including athletics, archery, badminton, 3×3 basketball, beach volleyball, boxing, chess, artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, and judo. There will also be events for athletes with disabilities in athletics, badminton, and judo.
Bahrain has completed its preparations to host this edition of the global championship, under the patronage of HM King Hamad and supported by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HM the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS), and His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS), Chairman of the General Sports Authority (GSA), and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC).
Bahrain’s preparations extend beyond sports, with accompanying events designed to enhance cultural communication among participants, including a scientific forum at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre featuring educational and sports workshops, as well as “Nations Night” and a “Cultural Day” aimed at fostering cultural exchange among youth from participating countries.
Charitable celebrations will be organised along the Pearl Path and a recreational area dedicated to visitors and participants, adding a cultural and social dimension to the sporting event.
The International School Sports Games, held biennially under the auspices of the International School Sport Federation (ISF), first commenced in 1974 in Wiesbaden, Germany. Since their inception, these prestigious games have taken place in notable global cities, including Orléans, France, in 1976; Turin, Italy, in 1980; and Shanghai, China, in 1998. The event has also featured significant editions in cities such as Nicosia, Lille, Nice, and Bruges.
The ISF was established in 1972 as a non-profit international sports organisation that acts as the governing body for national school sports organisations and educational events for youth aged 6 to 18, striving for a world where sports and education provide opportunities for all students and youth to empower themselves and foster healthy lifestyle communities for present and future generations.
The ISF has been recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 1995 and consists of 132 members from around the world, organising over 10 events annually across more than 30 different sports.
The International School Games first took place in Wiesbaden, Germany, in 1974 and has since established a distinguished history of global hosting in prominent cities, enhancing its popularity both in Europe and beyond, including Orléans, France, in 1976, followed by Turin, Italy, in 1980, and then Lille, Nice, and Bruges. In 1994, the event moved to Cyprus, hosted by Nicosia, then to Shanghai, China, in 1998, and then back to France in 2002.
Athens hosted the 10th edition of the games in 2006, while Qatar became the first Arab nation to host the event in 2009.
The championship continued to grow, moving to Brasília in 2013, Trabzon in 2016, and Marrakech in 2018, with the most recent edition taking place in Normandy, France, in 2022, before Bahrain got selected for hosting the current edition in 2024.
