TABLE TENNIS – Bahrain bagged an impressive eight medals in the recently concluded World Table Tennis (WTT) Youth Contender Manama 2026, which was hosted by the kingdom.
The hosts captured two silver medals and six bronze medals in the under-19 international event, which featured 129 players from 19 countries.
Kenda Mahmood and Yusuf Albanna were both silver-medallists.
Kenda claimed her runner-up classification in the girls’ under-13 singles, while Yusuf finished second in the boys’ under-11 singles.
Kenda had to settle for her final ranking after losing to Olesia Ilina from Russia 0-3 (7-11, 3-11, 6-11) in the gold medal clash.
Yusuf, on the other hand, lost in his final to Taavi Samaraweera from Sri Lanka 1-3 (5-11, 11-9, 7-11, 2-11).
Meanwhile, the six bronze medals were claimed by Hessa Althani and Aljoori Aldoseri in the girls’ under-13 singles, Ahmed Albanna in the boys’ under-13 singles, Ali Alhashemi in the boys’ under-11 singles, and Shooq Aldosari and Hoor Alsaeed in the girls’ under-11 singles.
The event’s closing ceremony was attended by General Sports Authority (GSA) CEO Dr Abdulrahman Askar, Arab Table Tennis Federation president and Bahrain Table Tennis Association president Shaikha Hayat bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa, and other officials.
Dr Askar emphasised the GSA’s commitment, under the guidance of Supreme Council for Youth and Sport first deputy chairman, GSA chairman, and Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, to supporting international tournaments.
He noted that hosting youth events aligns with the ‘Golden Generation’ initiative, aimed at supporting future sports champions.
Shaikha Hayat highlighted the positive feedback from participating delegations and the International Table Tennis Federation representatives.
She praised the efforts of national staff in ensuring a successful championship, and commended the support of the BOC and GSA.
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