Two extraordinary athletes from the Bahrain Down Syndrome Society have made waves on the global stage, clinching multiple accolades at a prestigious swimming championship in London.
Inspirational teenagers Nasser Hubail, 17, and Ahmed Darwish, 14, bagged medals in the junior category at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships, proving that determination and talent know no boundaries.
The event was held on November 15 and 16.
The duo with other participants
Nasser, a Sanad resident, who attends Alia National School, emerged as a star performer, winning second place overall. He bagged second position in the 50-metre backstroke and third in the 50m breaststroke for his category, and also received two ‘Fastest Swimmer’ tickets.
Ahmed from A’ali, who attends Wadi Al Sail School, stood third overall, bagging second place in the 100m backstroke and a ‘Fastest Swimmer’ ticket.
Both athletes, who underwent months of training, competed across multiple distances – 25m, 50m, and 100m – showcasing versatility and grit.
Mr Alali
“This achievement is a testament to the progress of our training programmes and the dedication of our coaches and support staff,” Bahrain Down Syndrome Society executive director Ahmed AlAli said in a statement.
“It reinforces our mission to promote inclusive sports and empower athletes with Down syndrome to reach their full potential, and demonstrates the capability of our athletes to compete globally,” he added.
“Furthermore, it highlights Bahrain’s commitment to supporting athletes with disabilities. It is an important step forward in enhancing their competitive experience and strengthening the presence of the kingdom in international sporting arenas.”
Golden boys Nasser and Ahmed, who have been part of the society since childhood, expressed pride in representing the kingdom. They have been training three times a week, with each session lasting about 45 minutes to an hour.
“It was an honour to compete for my Society and the Kingdom of Bahrain, and I am delighted with the results we achieved,” Nasser said. “I did my best throughout the competition, and I look forward to achieving even greater success in the future,” Ahmed added.
Coach Khalifa Salim, who has worked closely with the society for four years, praised the duo’s spirit.
“Both swimmers demonstrated excellent readiness and strong competitive spirit and we anticipate further achievements in the upcoming international events,” he said.
Established in 1998, Bahrain Down Syndrome Society is a non-governmental humanitarian organisation that is concerned with caring for children with the condition. It works through the Down Syndrome Care Centre, which was established in 2001 with the aim of providing them with the necessary services.
In addition to offering counselling to individuals with Down syndrome and their families – there are presently around 400 individuals – the society also stages community initiatives to raise awareness about the cause.
In the past, it has collaborated with various organisations to lead community-driven programmes. Employment training is one of the society’s major services, with the aim of integrating these inviduals in the mainstream and providing them a sustainable means of livelihood.
At least 26 people with determination are already working in banks, cold stores, hospitals, restaurants and more, with public and private companies being urged to integrate youngsters with the genetic disorder into their workforce.
Down syndrome is a genetic condition that happens when a child is born with an extra chromosome, occurring in about one in 1,000 babies born worldwide.
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