World Aquatics today celebrated the Grand Opening of the World Aquatics Centre of Excellence – Bahrain, marking a significant milestone in the organisation’s global development strategy. The new centre underscores World Aquatics’ commitment to expanding developmental, training, and educational opportunities for aspiring elite aquatic athletes worldwide.
MANAMA, BAHRAIN -- As the Kingdom of Bahrain proudly hosts the 3rd Asian Youth Games, the Grand Opening of the World Aquatics Centre of Excellence – Bahrain took place, marking a defining moment in the global development of aquatic sports and the organisation’s growing presence in the Middle East. This unique centre provides athletes with the opportunity to pursue academic studies at the University of Technology Bahrain (UTB) while receiving professional training in a centre that includes an Olympic-standard 50m pool, an Olympic diving pool, athlete accommodation, and educational facilities integrated into the UTB campus.
The ceremony took place under the presence of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS), President of the General Sports Authority (GSA), and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) and senior representatives from World Aquatics, the Bahrain Olympic Committee, GFH Financial Group, Al Namal Group, Infracorp and the University of Technology Bahrain.
The Grand Opening event was not just a symbolic milestone; it highlighted Bahrain’s commitment to sports excellence and celebrated the global vision behind World Aquatics’ Centres of Excellence programme.
A Celebration of Vision and Partnership
The World Aquatics Centre of Excellence – Bahrain joins a network of high-performance World Aquatics Training Centres in Australia, Canada, France, Hungary, Thailand, and the United States.
Currently, five international athletes reside and train in Bahrain under the guidance of the World Aquatics coaching team while training and pursuing their academic studies at UTB. By the first quarter of 2026, the centre is expected to host an increasing number of scholarship holders from around the world, with over 50 athletes participating in the Bahrain programme within the year.
For the event, the facility was turned into an inspiring canvas for innovation and creativity. Guests witnessed a stunning 85m by 10m projection depicting the centre’s envisioned future, accompanied by a live performance in which dancers manipulated layers of fabric across the venue’s pool—creating the illusion of water in motion and symbolising progress, potential, and unity through sport.
Statements from the Podium
World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam expressed his gratitude and pride at the milestone moment:
“The World Aquatics Centre of Excellence – Bahrain embodies our vision of providing athletes with the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of where they come from. Through this partnership with the Kingdom of Bahrain, we are building more than a training facility—we are building a community that unites sport, education, and innovation. This centre will serve as a beacon for aspiring athletes from around the world and a powerful symbol of World Aquatics’ commitment to excellence.”
Hisham Alrayes, Group CEO of GFH Financial Group and Chairman of the University of Technology Bahrain, remarked:
“We are honoured to partner with World Aquatics on a project that reflects Bahrain’s strategic ambition to develop as a global destination for education, innovation, and sports excellence. The Centre of Excellence is a model of collaboration and vision—one that will create opportunity for athletes and contribute to the Kingdom’s reputation as a leader in sports development.”
Faris Mustafa Al-Kooheiji, Secretary General of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, underscored the Kingdom’s leadership in sport:
“This Grand Opening reflects Bahrain’s enduring commitment to the values of sport and the vision of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa. The World Aquatics Centre of Excellence represents an investment in the next generation—an enduring symbol of Bahrain’s role as a global sports hub and its support for youth, development, and international cooperation.”
Majed Alkhan, CEO of the University of Technology Bahrain, emphasised the importance of combining sport and education:
“The partnership between World Aquatics and UTB brings together two powerful forces—academic excellence and sporting excellence. We are proud to offer a home where athletes can pursue both their academic and athletic ambitions, ensuring that their growth beyond the pool matches their success in sport.”
Representing the athletes, Omar Abbas added:
“For every athlete here, this centre is a symbol of opportunity and inspiration. We are proud to be the first to call it home, and we look forward to representing this vision as it continues to grow and welcome more athletes from across the world.”
A Continued Commitment to Aquatic Sport
The Grand Opening of the World Aquatics Centre of Excellence – Bahrain follows a series of key milestones in the partnership between World Aquatics and Bahrain:
31 January 2023 – World Aquatics and the Bahrain Olympic Committee announce the creation of the Centre of Excellence and a regional office in Bahrain.
4 January 2024 – Under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the official groundbreaking ceremony takes place at the University of Technology - Bahrain.
21–22 September 2024 – Bahrain successfully hosts its first-ever World Aquatics event, the World Aquatics High Diving World Cup, in Manama.
30 October 2025 – The Grand Opening of the World Aquatics Centre of Excellence – Bahrain, coinciding with the 3rd Asian Youth Games, further cements Bahrain’s standing as a centre of sports.
Upon completion, the centre will serve as a hub for elite training, sports science research, and education, while supporting World Aquatics’ long-term mission to ensure that athletes everywhere have the tools to achieve their highest potential.
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About World Aquatics
Driven by the vision of a world united by water for health, life and sport, World Aquatics is the international governing body for aquatic sports. Founded in 1908, World Aquatics is an independent organisation formed of 212 National Member Federations and five Continental Associations.
World Aquatics oversees six aquatic sports – swimming, water polo, diving, artistic swimming, open water swimming and high diving – and is recognised as the leading global authority of these sports by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
About the Bahrain Olympic Committee
Established in 1979 and recognised by the International Olympic Committee, the Bahrain Olympic Committee promotes and develops sport across the Kingdom and represents Bahrain in the global Olympic Movement.
About GFH Financial Group B.S.C.
GFH Financial Group is one of the most recognised financial groups in the Gulf region. Its businesses include Investment Management, Commercial Banking and Treasury & Proprietary Investments, with assets and funds under management exceeding US$19 billion dollars. The Group’s operations are principally focused across the GCC, North Africa and India, along with strategic investment in the U.S., Europe and the U.K. GFH is listed in Bahrain Bourse, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, Boursa Kuwait and Dubai Financial Market. For more information, please visit www.gfh.com.
About the University of Technology Bahrain (UTB)
UTB is a leading higher education institution dedicated to innovation, technology, and practical learning. Its partnership with World Aquatics enables athletes to pursue world-class education alongside elite sports training.
Media Contacts:
World Aquatics
Torin Koos
Communication Manager
Tel: +41 21 310 47 10
Email: torin.koos@worldaquatics.com
Website: www.worldaquatics.com
GFH Financial Group
Nawal Al-Naji
Senior Manager - Corporate Communications
Tel: +973 17538538
Email: nalnaji@gfh.com
Website: www.gfh.com