11-07-2025
The 29th GCC Championships begin
It's been over a decade since Bahrain last hosted the GCC Swimming Championships — but this weekend, the kingdom makes a grand return. The 29th edition of the regional tournament kicks off today at Khalifa Sports City's indoor pool, bringing together swimmers from across the Gulf for two days of competition.
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and host nation Bahrain will all be represented by male and female swimmers aged 14 and up. They'll race across all four traditional strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly), as well as individual medleys and relays.
New Era
Now, in 2025, the newly elected Bahrain Aquatics board is organizing its very first swimming event — and starting strong with a full-scale regional championship.
'Tomorrow is the start of something truly special,' said Abdulla Attiya, President of the Bahrain Aquatic Association, who famously completed a 70-kilometre relay swim around the island in April. 'We're building a culture that makes swimming accessible, exciting, and inspiring for everyone. We're here to make swimming fun again.'
Attiya emphasized that the success of this event reflects years of grassroots support — from sponsors, national sports leaders, volunteers, and local fans. And for him, it's also a statement to the athletes themselves. 'Believe in yourselves and face challenges with passion and confidence,' he said. 'You are the strength of the homeland and the hope of tomorrow.'
Tournament director Abdullah Matar echoed that energy from behind the scenes, highlighting the tireless effort to bring the championship to life. 'The team of the tournament continues to work hard and diligently, focusing on the joint efforts of the youth to ensure that preparations for the championship are raised,' he said.
For Matar, the aim isn't just to run a smooth event — it's to raise the bar. 'We work hand in hand as a young, enthusiastic, and dedicated team, committed to achieving success that befits the size of the championship and the position of Bahrain. We are confident that these efforts will result in a distinctive sporting event that will leave a positive footprint on Gulf sports.'
Timings
Morning sessions start at 9 a.m. and runs until just past 11. Evening heats begin at 5 p.m., wrapping up around 7 p.m. tonight and 8 p.m. tomorrow. Entry is free, and the atmosphere is expected to build as friends, families, and fans fill the stands throughout the weekend.
