Manama: Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister, inaugurated the first phase of the Safra walkway. The opening was held as part of a Bahrain Sports Day celebration organised by the Ministry of Municipalities and Agriculture, during which the Deputy Prime Minister joined residents of the Southern Governorate and invited guests to a walking activity.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the event was attended by Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Khalifa, Southern Governor, senior officials, heads of the Capital Municipality and local councils, and members of the Southern Municipal Council.
Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah said that using public facilities to improve community health and quality of life is a key part of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s development goals under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
The Deputy Prime Minister added that the expansion and development of such facilities across the kingdom reflects the government’s focus, led by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on citizens’ health and on providing an environment that allows everyone to take part in physical activity as a regular part of daily life, helping to build a healthier and more productive society.
He commended the growing success of Bahrain Sports Day and the leading efforts and initiatives of His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, and His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, Chairman of the General Sports Authority, President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, and their role in supporting sports and youth activities.
Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah also expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture for its annual commitment to implementing and inaugurating walking tracks in line with Bahrain Sports Day. He noted that this approach reflects effective integration between national efforts and the coordination of work across all government bodies to achieve goals that serve the Kingdom and meet citizens’ aspirations by providing safe, healthy spaces that serve residents of the various governorates and empower them to continue practicing sport throughout the year.
On his part, Minister Al Mubarak said that the ministry’s strategy to expand the construction of walkways and green spaces is a direct translation of the government’s approach under the leadership of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. He said the strategy aims to develop sustainable infrastructure for residential areas and achieve environmental and urban balance across all governorates of the kingdom.
He expressed appreciation to the Deputy Prime Minister for the continuous support and follow-up that the ministry’s projects and programmes receive through the Ministerial Committee for Development Projects and Infrastructure chaired by him. He also commended the Deputy Prime Minister’s commitment, for the fifth year in a row, to inaugurating the walking tracks implemented by the ministry in various governorates, coinciding with Bahrain Sports Day, including the opening of the first phase of the Safra walkway this year.
The Municipalities Minister noted that the Safra walkway is part of the ministry’s urban development plan and is coordinated with the Southern Municipal Council to enhance services provided to residents of Riffa and the surrounding areas, praising the cooperation of all relevant parties.
The Safra walkway, located on Sheikh Salman Highway near Awali Roundabout, has a first phase that extends 1.2 kilometres in length and six metres in width. It includes a dedicated area for sports activities equipped with warm-up devices. Its design also ensures ease of movement and integration for people of determination when using the facilities. The project also includes landscaping works using shade trees and palm trees.