This spring, over 1,000 students from 24 participating SABIS® schools in 13 countries gathered for the 12th SABIS® Regional Tournament, a biennial, international sporting competition. The highly-anticipated tournament involves teams of student athletes who participate in a range of sports including swimming, basketball, soccer, and track & field. This year’s tournament was held from April 4 to 7, 2019, at the International School of Choueifat – Manama, a SABIS® school in Bahrain, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad, Representative of his Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee.
The tournament kicked off with a grand opening ceremony that included elaborate performances, a marching band, a dressage horse show, student dance and gymnastic performances, and an impressive entrance by all participating teams. Following the performances, the audience was addressed by H.H. Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad’s Representative, Mr. Saleh Bin Hindi Al Mannai and SABIS® Vice President Mr. Victor Saad.
In his speech, Mr. Victor Saad stated: “It has always been our belief at SABIS® that sports are about far more than simply winning trophies and medals. It is a means to encourage a healthy lifestyle, form sound habits, and develop high levels of confidence and discipline. It shapes future leaders, unifies participants, instills timeless moral values, and teaches essential, positive life lessons.”
The tournament radiated a spirit of sportsmanship and enthusiasm as students showcased their athletic prowess for crowds of spectators. When they weren’t competing, students were busy cheering on their fellow schoolmates, making friends, and learning about new cultures.
In the basketball portion of the competition, senior boys and senior girl basketball players showed great skill and endurance as the teams challenged one another on the court. The audience witnessed the senior girls from International School of Choueifat in Choueifat, Amman, and Erbil take home first, second, and third place prizes, respectively. Senior boys from the International School of Choueifat in Koura took home first place, followed by the International School of Choueifat – Dubai and Ruwais Private School.
The soccer matches were divided into two categories – under 10 teams and under 14 teams. The games were filled with excitement, skill, and teamwork as the players gave it their best and faced off in more than 60 matches. The International School of Choueifat – Abu Dhabi came out as champions in the Under 10 category, followed by the International School of Choueifat in Erbil and Dubai Investments Park. In the Under 14 category, the International School of Choueifat in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Erbil took home prizes for first, second, and third place, respectively.
The swimming and track & field competitions saw three tournament records broken, two in track & field and one in swimming. Students from Egypt, Bahrain, Germany, Pakistan, Jordan, KSA, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, and U.A.E. brought their best to the competition and took home gold medals for their success in these sports.
The tournament concluded after three very full days of high-spirited competitions with a moving closing ceremony that included speeches, the presentation of medals, certificate distribution, group photos, and a ceremonial cake cutting.
In the closing ceremony, Mr. Hassan Daher, Deputy Director of ISC-Manama, commented: “The past three days were filled with excitement, enthusiasm, energy, and fierce competition. We have had the pleasure of witnessing great team spirit throughout this tournament. We take pride in everyone’s performance and their sportsmanship. Regardless of who won or who lost, you are leaving us today with valuable experiences, new friends, and precious memories to cherish.”
12th SABIS® Regional Tournament takes place in Manama, Bahrain
Congratulations to all participating teams and to the hosts for putting on an excellent tournament! We look forward to seeing you all at the 13th SABIS® Regional Tournament in 2021!
To see more photos and watch videos from the 12th SABIS® Regional Tournament, visit regionaltournament.sabis.net.