Manama: Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma, Minister of Education, announced that the Ministry of Education will assume the responsibilities of the Bahrain Schools and Collegiate Athletic Association. This follows the issuance of Edict (21) of 2025 by 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 (GSA), and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, to dissolve the Association. The responsibilities will be carried out through the ministry's educational services sector, in coordination with the GSA.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the Minister emphasised the strength of the partnership between the Ministry of Education and the GSA, noting that their joint efforts have played a key role in developing school sports in Bahrain. He commended the cooperation formed under the directives of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Dr. Juma added that Bahrain's hosting of the International School Sports Federation (ISF) Gymnasiade Bahrain 2024 last October, under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, was a major success, attracting over 5,000 participants. He noted that the event provided valuable experience that will support the ministry in its new role. Priorities include identifying talented students, maintaining cooperation with the ISF, and organising participation in international school sports events.
The Minister expressed his appreciation to His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa for placing his trust in the Ministry and its academic, administrative, and sports personnel.
Abdulrahman Sadiq Askar, CEO of the GSA, commended the directives of His Highness to enhance cooperation with the Ministry of Education. He emphasised the importance of leveraging the school and university environments to design joint programmes aimed at identifying and nurturing student talent, which will further strengthen the efforts of joint teams between the ministry and the authority.
He added that coordination is underway with the ministry to adopt improved procedures for assessing schools and universities and selecting student athletes based on merit.