A NEW memorial was unveiled yesterday in honour of the Royal Guard team that conquered Mount Everest in 2021.
National Security Adviser and Royal Guard Commander Lieutenant-General Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa posted, on his social media account, a photograph of the seven-metre-high memorial designed by Bahraini artist and sculptor Khalil Almadhoon.
Shaikh Nasser with members of the Royal Guard expedition team in front of the memorial
“We inaugurated today a memorial that honours the efforts of Royal Guard Team after their summiting Mount Everest,” said Shaikh Nasser, at the Al Rawdha Camp roundabout in Riffa.
The ceremony was attended by members of the expedition team.
Shaikh Nasser affirmed that this monument was a testament to the bravery and determination of the Royal Guard which raised the Bahrain flag on the highest peak in the world.
He explained that the achievement will remain a shining example in the history of the kingdom, adding that it was not merely a sporting achievement, but a national message that embodied the spirit of teamwork, solidarity and the unwavering determination of the Bahraini people.
Shaikh Nasser received Mr Almadhoon, who is also the Bahrain Contemporary Art Society president, and was presented with a commemorative gift by Brigadier General Khalid Mohammed Al Dosari, also designed by the artist.
His Majesty sent out a message of peace from the top of the world – the summit of Mount Everest
In 2020, Shaikh Nasser had announced the expedition, adding that the team would also provide food to the Sherpas isolated on the Himalayan mountain range with little access to basic food supplies due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A gift of 2,000 Covid-19 jabs was donated by Bahrain and taken by the Bahrain Everest team to Nepal in March 2021 to help about 1,000 residents of Samagaun village.
The Bahrain team was the first international group to summit the new altitude of Mount Everest
The 16-member team, which included three Britons, achieved the mega feat on May 11, 2021 between 2.45am and 4am Bahrain time.
The team, led by Shaikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Khalifa, started its 79-day mission on March 15 assisted by a team of 250 Sherpas.
The GDN reported at the time that His Majesty King Hamad had spoken with the members of the team after they had unfurled the Bahrain flag atop the mountain.
He had praised the strength, determination and courage displayed by the ‘brave men’ in conquering Mount Everest.
Nepal and China jointly announced that the revised height of the world’s highest peak was 8,848.86 metres, about 86cm more than the previous measurement done by India in 1954.
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