Manama, Bahrain, September 25, 2020: Colonel Manaf Al-Qahtani, consultant of infectious diseases at the Bahrain Military Hospital and a member of the National Medical Team to tackle COVID-19, has praised the Bahrain Olympic Committee for the preventive and precautionary measures taken to safeguard the health of athletes in the Kingdom.
Col. Manaf this week paid tribute to the Bahrain Olympic Committee under the leadership of HH Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, President of the NOC, and Mohamed Hasan Half, Secretary General, for supporting the national efforts to confront the pandemic.
“The Bahrain Olympic Committee is ahead of following precautionary measures, preventive measures and requirements for the safety of the athletes. I praise the steps taken by them such as thermal screening of athletes and the sterilisation of stadiums and gyms,” Col. Manaf stated.
Col. Manaf, who stressed “the importance of sport”, revealed no restrictions had been placed on exercising in public places since the beginning of the pandemic although health guidelines had to be followed.
“Some special precautionary measures have been put in place, such as wearing masks and applying social distancing when exercising, although this excludes strenuous exercises like running, swimming and cycling. And the Ministry of Health has put in place guidelines for sports activities at health clubs, sports academies and outdoor playgrounds.”
In a final message to the athletes, Col. Manaf said: “We look forward to your continued sporting achievements to raise the flag of Bahrain in various sporting forums, which will only be achieved through your awareness and commitment to overcome this pandemic.
“I send you an open invitation to participate in the clinical trials of the potential vaccine for the coronavirus to protect yourselves and humanity, and to respond to the call of your homeland Bahrain and to serve the community,” he added.
