Bahrain 'gateway to Mideast'

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BAHRAIN is helping open the doors to the Middle East for the ICG, top officials said yesterday.

After being the first Arab country to take part in the ICG in Coventry, England, in 2005, Bahrain has also now become the first host from the region.

Officials now hope that the ICG can build from this groundbreaking event and further strengthen ties with countries in this part of the world.

"An Arab country hosting the ICG for the first time is the start of special new opportunities for this region, especially with regard to the ICG," said Wolfgang Glenz, mayor of Darmstadt, one of the German cities taking part.

"We truly hope that more Arab cities can take part in future events. They are a big part of global sport.

"We have spoken to children and they're saying that it's been the best," Mr Glenz added.

GŽza Abdai, vice-mayor of Sopron, Hungary, said that coming to Bahrain was truly beneficial for the children.

"This is the first time the games have come to a country many of the participants generally don't know much about. Up to now, it has been held mainly in Europe.

"But this gives them the chance to get in touch with children from other continents, especially those from this region.

"The children are the centre of these games, and if they go to a new continent, a new city, they are able to get in touch with the new culture of that place. It means their experiences are always getting greater and greater.

"Now, we have a good idea of Bahrain and the Middle East, and it has been a very nice experience that we hope the ICG can build from.

"It has been a wonderful experience up to now and we're looking forward to the remaining days," Mr Abdai said.

Australian MP and Lake Macquarie mayor Greg Piper said he believed that sport was very much secondary when it comes to the ICG.

"The games are much more about opening the eyes of the children in their most formative years to the idea that they can be friends and have good relationships with people from other cultures.

"People with different ethnic and cultural backgrounds as well as beliefs all come together.

"This year, coming to an Islamic country and interacting with Arab people, there is a very big difference and we all think it's been wonderful to be here."

Mr Piper said he had developed a special bond with Bahrain and a friendship with Bahrain ICG organising committee executive chairman Waheed Al Doy.

"I attended the ICG in San Francisco in 2008, and the Lake Macquarie athletes were staying in the same dorm as the Bahrain team.

"As the city's delegate, I got to meet the Bahraini delegation, and Waheed and I had some good games of indoor soccer there.

"We formed a bit of a friendship. When the opportunity arose to come here and compete, it was obviously something we would not pass up," he said.

"So far, everybody's delighted. Some of our children have never really travelled far from Australia, so it's very culturally different here, but everyone's been having a really good time."

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