Under the patronage and in the presence of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of the General Sports Authority, and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, the World Aquatics Centre of Excellence was officially inaugurated on Thursday, 30 October 2025, at the University of Technology Bahrain (UTB).

The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Mr Husain Al Musallam, President of World Aquatics, along with several dignitaries, guests, and invitees.

This project stands as one of the leading joint sporting initiatives between World Aquatics and the Bahrain Olympic Committee, supported by the GFH Financial Group. The centre aims to advance the regional aquatic sports ecosystem, nurture young talent, and provide a world-class training environment that meets the highest international standards.

His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa expressed his pride and honour in inaugurating the centre, affirming that the project embodies Bahrain’s vision to solidify its position as a regional hub for sporting excellence.

“The inauguration of the World Aquatics Centre of Excellence marks a significant step forward in the development of aquatic sports in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the wider region, providing an ideal environment for athletes from around the world.”

His Highness added that the centre will serve as a platform for shaping future champions in aquatic sports and as a cornerstone for sustainable cooperation between Bahrain and World Aquatics.

In his remarks, Mr Husain Al Musallam affirmed that the centre’s inauguration in Bahrain represents a key milestone in World Aquatics’ strategy to expand the global base of aquatic sports.

“We are delighted to celebrate the launch of this model project in the Kingdom of Bahrain, which has proven its ability to host and organise major continental and international sporting events. The Centre of Excellence in Bahrain will serve as a platform for developing technical and administrative cadres and for training athletes from across Asia and the world. It stands as a model of fruitful collaboration between sports institutions and the private sector.”

During the ceremony, His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa toured the centre’s facilities, where he was briefed on the modern Olympic-size swimming pool, athletes’ rooms, and training and lecture halls. His Highness commended the project’s advanced engineering and technical standards.

Dr Hasan Almulla, President of UTB, said that the centre represents a defining moment in Bahrain’s ongoing commitment to excellence in sports, innovation, and education.

“This vision brings together technology, talent, determination, and teamwork to create a new generation of champions and opportunities for youth, where sport and education converge to build well-rounded elite athletes capable of competing at the highest global levels. This academic year, we welcomed our first cohort of athletes. By January of the coming year, 35 athletes from 31 countries representing five continents will join the university to study and train in this world-class facility – making it a beacon of excellence for Bahrain and the world, a place for breaking boundaries, and for learning and training side by side.”

Syrian Olympian Omar Abbas also delivered a message on behalf of the first cohort of international athletes who joined UTB’s diverse student body during the first trimester of the current academic year.

“Just one year ago, I fulfilled my dream of representing my country, Syria, in the men’s 200m freestyle event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Standing on that stage and hearing the crowd’s cheers was a moment I will never forget. As I stand here at this remarkable World Aquatics Centre of Excellence in Bahrain, I feel the same spark of purpose. This place represents opportunity, dedication, and the future of our sport. Thank you for believing in us and for creating a space where athletes can train, learn, and dream all at once.”

Reposted with news and photo credits to hhskmedia

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