ARISF and UIM President Dr. Raffaele Chiulli had the opportunity to meet in Manama, Bahrain, His Highness Sheikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Vice President of the General Sports Authority, President of the Bahrain Combat Sport Council.
The meeting was also attended by the President of WAKO, the International Kickboxing Federation, Mr. Roy Baker, the CEO of the General Sports Authority, Dr. Abdulrahman Sadiq Askar, the President of the Bahrain Kickboxing and Muay Thai Federation, Mr. Ahmed Alwazzan, and the Advisor to His Highness, the President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, Mr. Muhammad Shahid.
At the beginning of the meeting His Highness Sheikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa welcomed all attendees and conveyed them the greetings of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Vice President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of the General Sports Authority and Chairman of the Bahrain Olympic Committee.
President Chiulli, talking about the challenges and opportunities of the global sport scenario, expressed his appreciation to the great development of sport in the Kingdom of Bahrain, hosting many high-level sporting events and championships. He also praised the support of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa for his continuous efforts to advance sports and athletes in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Discussing the future of sport, particularly watersports, the UIM President Chiulli, said “It was an honor to meet His Highness Sheikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and to exchange about our visions. Bahrain is becoming a major hub for sports organizations with number of major sports events being held in this country. We can observe an incredible passion for watersports, and we are happy to provide our cooperation with Bahrain Sport Authorities to establish the Bahrain Powerboating Federation”.
President Chiulli also underlined “We are proud to be recognized as the sole competent authority in Powerboating and Jet Ski by the International Olympic Committee and we are convinced that Sport is an extraordinary means to show and disseminate those values such as passion, loyalty and fair competition which are fundamentals in our today’s society. The UIM is involved in several initiatives of the Olympic Movement related to giving access to sport as a right for all, in engaging in clean sports activities with a special focus on youth and promoting, through our athletes, the values of Olympism as a life philosophy that combines sport, education and culture.”
The meeting was the closure of a very intense and fruitful week in Bahrain, where President Chiulli had the privilege to open the WAKO World Kickboxing development seminar and coaching workshop, to meet with the FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and discuss key areas of collaboration between the motor sport federations, and enjoy an amazing experience at the Scuderia Ferrari racing box & paddock at the 2022 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, Grand Prix of Bahrain.