Manama: Supreme Council for Youth and Sports member, Bahrain Olympic Committee board member and women’s sports committee chairwoman Shaikha Hayat bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa yesterday received the 2015 International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Women and Sport Award for Asia.
At the awards ceremony at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Shaikha Hayat was honoured for her long-standing efforts to promote women in sport.
Shaikha Hayat collected her award from IOC President Thomas Bach, watched by high-ranking sports officials from all over the world, including IOC Executive Committee member Prince Faisal bin Al Hussain of Jordan, President of ANOC and OCA President Shaikh Ahmed Al Subah, IOC vice-president Nawal Al Mutawakel and Bahrain Ambassador to Switzerland Dr Yousef Abdulkarim.
Shaikha Hayat’s award-winning achievement was lauded by Bach, who commended her efforts in boosting women’s sports in Bahrain.
Shaikha Hayat said she was honoured to receive the prestigious award, which is a result of the unlimited support Bahrain has been getting from His Majesty King Hamad, the His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister.
She noted that the support to the Bahraini women by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women, also played a key role in enabling Bahrain women to occupy highest posts.
Shaikha Hayat added that the award will be an incentive for her to put in more efforts and to further develop women’s sports in Bahrain in partnership with all sports entities in the kingdom. She said this international honour will encourage her to strive for more achievements in women’s sports at all levels.
Deputy Premier Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa sent a cable of congratulations to Shaikha Hayat bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa on obtaining IOC’s Women and Sports Award 2015 for Asia continent.
Supreme Council for Youth and Sports Second Vice-Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee Honorary President Shaikh Isa bin Rashid Al Khalifa and Bahrain Olympic Committee General Secretary Abdulrahman Askar also congratulated Shaikha Hayat.