Today, the engines are returning to play speed symphony from the heart of Sakhir, announcing a new start for the Bahrain Grand Prix for “Formula 1” in an exceptional season, transforming the world’s attention to our small island in the heart of the Persian Gulf. 21 years have passed since the first roar of Ferrari engines, and since we were astonished by Michael Schumacher with his grace on the Bahrain International Circuit in 2004, but the enthusiasm is still as it is, but rather stronger. And betting on Bahraini youth today is stronger than ever.
This year, Bahrain returns to confirm its superiority in organizing global sporting events, as such occasions are no longer just competitions, but today are prosperous tourist seasons that attract thousands of visitors, and as Mrs. Sarah Ahmed Bouhji, CEO of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, said, today “Formula 1” is part of the identity of Bahrain, and one of its most prominent tools in expressing the insightful vision of leadership in Attracting major events.
It is not possible to talk about “Formula 1” without stopping at the pivotal role of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, may God protect him, from the first moment, His Highness was the owner of the future look, and the believer that Bahrain is able to host the most important sporting events in the world, so 21 years ago this project began with a clear vision, and today we reap the fruits of that vision: Bahrain is the first country in the region that embraces “Formula 1” Year after year.
Today we see this vision clearly achieved, as there is an increase in the number of visitors, a 100%full work of hotels, in addition to an increase in tourism revenues, transportation and organizing events, and perfect integration between the public and private sectors, all of this is the result of his leadership of this file, and his confidence in Bahrain’s ability and its children to distinguish.
Behind this success and distinction, the youth of Bahrain, the pulse of the event and its spirit, standing by those who were described by His Highness the Crown Prince, the Prime Minister as “the basis of this race, and we lean on them to make these events a success, and we love them and our duty to serve them from our eyes.” Words came out of the heart, and their hearts touched, so their giving was greater than expectations.
In every corner of the ring, in the committees, in the operating teams, you see Bahraini faces operating enthusiastically, and it is presented from its time and effort in a pure national spirit, they are the one who gives this event its own Bahraini character, and they make the real difference in each version of the race, until they became wanted in other countries to contribute to training and racing management.
Today, all sides are working with a remarkable harmony, the tourism packages designed by the Tourism Authority in cooperation with the Bahrain International Circuit, Gulf Air, Pamper, and a group of hotels, provided to visitors an integrated experience starting from the moment of arrival, through residency and transportation, and ending with the attendance of the events.
This integration between the sectors is what makes “Formula 1” in Bahrain more than just a race, as it is a platform to display our capabilities, our competence, our hospitality and the professionalism of our Bahraini youth, and with the passage of years from 2004 and until today the race has become a national season that we are waiting for every year, we grow with it, and through which we prove our ability to distinguish in the most difficult challenges.
The most important of all, that Bahrain receives the race every year as if it comes for the first time, and deals with it as a renewed start in every season, and thus Bahrain is with confidence, led by firm royal visions, and implemented by Bahraini arms that do not know the impossible.
