Manama: His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of the General Sports Authority, and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, met with Witold Banka, President of the World Anti-Doping Agency, alongside senior sports officials.
According to Bahrain News Agency, during the meeting, His Highness emphasized Bahrain’s commitment to supporting international efforts to maintain integrity, transparency, and fair play in sports. He highlighted the importance of collaboration with WADA to protect athletes’ health and reinforce clean sport principles.
His Highness praised WADA’s global leadership and expressed Bahrain’s pride in its partnerships with international sports bodies. He also reiterated Bahrain’s readiness to host major global sporting meetings, showcasing the Kingdom’s growing stature in the international sports arena.
After the meeting, a cooperation agreement was signed for Bahrain to host WADA’s Athletes’ Council, Executive Committee, and Foundation Board meetings from 24 to 26 November 2026. This agreement, in coordination with the Bahrain National Anti-Doping Organisation, underscores the international confidence in Bahrain’s organizational capabilities.
Banka expressed appreciation for the warm reception and noted that the agreement signifies the strong cooperation between WADA and Bahrain. He praised Bahrain’s experience in hosting international events and expressed confidence in the success of the upcoming meetings, underscoring that the partnership supports WADA’s mission to safeguard the integrity of sport worldwide.