(Manama) – His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa attended the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, where he was received by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia and senior invitees.
The two leaders exchanged talks on the longstanding ties binding the two kingdoms and their people.
After playing the Saudi national anthem and reciting several verses of the Holy Quran, HM the Saudi monarch inaugurated the festival closing ceremony and announced the start of the final two camel races went off.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques presented the King Abdulaziz Camel Racing Award to HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HM the King’s Representative for Charity Work and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of Bahrain Olympic Committee, for his Shuama’s winning Al-Mujaheem category. The Saudi king also presented trophies to other winners.
HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad expressed utmost appreciation of the Saudi King’s support for the festival and the inherited sports in the Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Gulf.
HM the King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa congratulated HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad on the honourable achievement, which adds to Bahrain’s outstanding successes. He pointed out HH Shaikh Nasser’s effort in promoting initiatives for preserving inherited sports, wishing him more accomplishments to come.
HM the King commended the festival, which reflects the Saudi King’s interest in maintaining the Saudi heritage and highlighting the camel significance throughout the history of the Arabian Peninsula.
HM the King noted the festival various activities that aim to revive the Saudi heritage and reinforce the national values, wishing the festival further future successes.
HM the King expressed delight in the solid deep-rooted ties between the two kingdoms, which have been established by fathers and grandfathers and followed by their descendants.