Manama, Jan. 28 (BNA): In order to attend the official opening ceremony of the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship, which will take place at the Royal Golf Club from January 29 to February 1, 2026, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa deputized His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs.
HM King deputises HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa to attend opening ceremony of Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship
His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee and Chairman of the General Sports Authority, welcomed His Highness upon his arrival.
General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of the Interior, and several other high-ranking officials attended the opening event.
His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad thanked His Majesty the King on the occasion for his kind sponsorship of the competition, which is indicative of His Majesty’s support of Bahraini sports and hosting of foreign athletic events. His Highness also commended His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for his unwavering support and his desire to establish the perfect setting for holding international championships.
His Highness stated that the championship is one of the most well-known events on the international golf calendar because of its superb organization, high technical standard, and chance to display Bahrain’s cutting-edge athletic and tourism capabilities to the globe. His Highness wished success to each and every participant.
The royal anthem kicked off the opening ceremony. His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad then gave a speech in which he thanked His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for his ongoing support of sports in general and golf in particular, as well as His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for his ongoing support of the sports industry.
Additionally, His Highness expressed gratitude to His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad for his support of Bahraini sports.
His Highness expressed confidence in Bahrain’s ability to organize, maintain success, and fortify international sports partnerships by announcing the extension of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s contract to host this championship for the next ten years.
His Highness stated that three Bahraini golfers and the world’s best players will compete in this year’s competition, along with a comprehensive entertainment schedule. His Highness praised the efforts of volunteers, sponsors, partners, working groups, Bapco Energies, and the tournament organizers.
In his remarks, Tom Phillips, Director of the Middle East at DP World Tour, commended the exceptional level of planning and organization as well as the efforts of the organizing committee and everyone who contributed to the championship’s success.
A song and a film highlighting the history of golf in the Kingdom of Bahrain, its stages of development, and its standing both regionally and internationally were part of the ceremony’s special creative segment. The film also discussed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s overall progress, the accomplishments of His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad (number 13), and the “Year of Isa Al Kabeer,” which the Kingdom commemorates in 2026.
The golf ball was also signed by His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad, and the show came to an end as the line of participating nations entered.
