Manama: His Majesty King Hamad yesterday stressed the crucial role of the environment and education in cultivating positive thinking, honing skills and acquiring the necessary traits for success. 

He was speaking as he received at Al Sakhir Palace his representative for charity work and youth affairs, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS) chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa who introduced to him participants of the Eighth International Youth Conference. A total of 1,600 participants from 32 countries are taking part in the major event. 

His Majesty paid tribute to the mothers who represent the school that brings up young generations. He paid homage to school principal Aisha Abdulkarim who won the Ideal Mother award at a major event recently held in Egypt. 

Youth and Sports Affairs Minister Hisham Al Jowder said that the conference highlights His Majesty’s interest in the youth and noted the establishment of SCYS in 1975. 

Ali Umran Al Shamis from the UAE, representing the participants, thanked His Majesty for the warm welcome and hospitality they received. He described the conference as a wonderful initiative to bring youth across the world together and provide them the opportunity to meet inspirational figures.