The Kingdom of Bahrain proudly took center stage in the global sports arena by successfully hosting the 17th edition of the International School Sports Federation (ISF) Gymnasiade. Held under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and driven by the visionary leadership of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa (First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, Chairman of the General Sports Authority, and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee), this monumental event solidified Bahrain's position as a premier global hub for international sports.
The ISF Gymnasiade 2024 officially stood out as the largest event ever organized in the history of the International School Sport Federation.
The 10-day sporting spectacle brought together youth from across the globe to compete at the highest level while fostering international cultural exchange and sportsmanship.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Date | October 23 - 30, 2024 |
| Total Athletes | 5,651 student-athletes |
| Participating Countries | 70 Nations |
| Total Sports Disciplines | 26 Sports (including Paralympic events) |
| Primary World-Class Venues | Isa Sports City, Khalifa Sports City, Um Al-Hassam Sports Halls, and the American University of Bahrain |
Under the close supervision of the General Sports Authority (GSA), the event aligned perfectly with Bahrain's national sports strategy identifying, nurturing, and accelerating the development of young local talent. This milestone event serves as an extension of the Kingdom's outstanding successes in organizing major international sporting events, contributing directly to discovering new school talents that will support national clubs and teams in the future.
The games showcased a highly diverse sports program, highlighting traditional global staples alongside sports deeply rooted in Bahrain's athletic community, such as Handball and Padel. In a strong display of the Kingdom's commitment to inclusivity and equity, specialized Paralympic categories were fully integrated into athletics, badminton, and judo.
