Nasser bin Hamad: Disability is not an obstacle

HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of Bahrain Olympic Committee honoured the contestant Shaikha Al Shaiba through the Organising Committee of the IRONMAN 70.3 Middle East Championship, during the closing ceremony.

HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of Bahrain Athletics Association, presented the special award to Bahraini contestant Shaikha Al Shaiba, who participated in the championship despite her handicap, being one-armed.

HH Shaikh Nasser expressed his appreciation for her participation and her determination to complete the race despite the obstacles she faced, an achievement with several gains, at the forefront sending the message that disability is not an obstacle in making champions. Shaikha has made the best examples of her passion and dedication to her goals, said His Highness Shaikh Nasser, who was keen to provide her with his full support in her athletic career, especially her IRONMAN 70.3 Middle East Championship participation. His Highness wished her continued success in the future.

For her part, Shaikha Al Shaiba confirmed that HH Shaikh Nasser was her biggest supporter in the championship. "His words to me gave me a strong moral boost to achieve her ambition of reaching the finishing line," she said, expressing joy at this long-awaited achievement, and declared that her participation was a statement to the world that physical disability is not an impediment to achieving ambitions and that loyalty to one’s goals can overcome obstacles. Shaikha Al Shaiba thanked HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa for his unlimited support in the championship, in addition to the honour that she received, which will motivate her to continue participating in sports competitions.