Bahrain will kick start their campaign today at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The Olympics, which got underway early this morning, begins with the tennis championships where Ali Dawani hopes to give his quest a boosting start today when he takes on an opponent from Holland.
Dawani looks to put on a stiff challenge against his opponent, who has a world ranking of 35 in the youth category, and progress into the competition. Dawani will also take part in the doubles and mixed doubles events later in the tournament.
The Bahraini has finalised his training in Buenos Aires under Moroccan coach Abdulrahim Munther in preparation for tough opening match.
Both Dawani and his coach said they were pleased to have this opportunity to represent Bahrain at one of the world’s greatest sporting events, and noted the importance of being part of this competition where some of the best rising tennis players are in the fray.
Meanwhile, the remaining of the Bahrain delegation resumed preparations for their respective events as Maryam Sharifa has stepped up her training under national tactician Amira Ebrahim for the weightlifting championship’s under-48kg weight category.
Short-distance runners Ahmed Anan and Maryam Ebrahim Al Ajoos, on the other hand, are the other two Bahrainis in the fray. They will both compete in athletics as Anan is lined up for the men’s 400m, while Maryam will take part in the women’s 100m race.
The Youth Olympic Games, held every four years, bring together young competitors between 15 and 18. For the first time in modern Olympic history, the Buenos Aires 2018 opening ceremony will not be held in a traditional stadium or arena setting, but instead in downtown Buenos Aires at the famous Obelisk landmark.
Buenos Aires 2018 is the first Olympic event ever to feature equal numbers of male and female participants. This equality will be reflected in the opening ceremony, where a man and a woman will light the cauldron together.
The shows will involve 2,000 people, including 350 performers, technicians and musicians from Argentine theatre company Fuerza Bruta.
Around 4,000 young athletes will be competing in the city’s venues over the next 12 days. Once all 241 events in 32 sports have been completed, the closing ceremony will then be held on October 18 in the Youth Olympic Village.