Under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Faisal Bin Yacub Al Hamer, Minister of Health, Kingdom of Bahrain, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Medical University of Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain) today officially inaugurated its new sports centre.
The opening event was attended by a host of the Kingdom’s dignitaries, as well as staff, students and alumni from the University. The completion of the sports hall concludes the first phase of RCSI Bahrain’s $65 million campus. The 12,000 square foot indoor facility began construction in August of 2008 and was completed in the allotted time. The facility will be widely used for both sporting activities and future specialist courses.
Dr. Faisal Al Mousawi, President of RCSI Bahrain commented, “This is a proud moment for the University, the new sports centre represents an exciting addition to the campus and will enrich the lives of our students and the community by encouraging the enjoyment of, and the participation in sports and recreational activities. The range of elite facilities it provides are extensive and a huge benefit to both the University and the wider community, and it will without a doubt lead the effort in the Kingdom to encourage sports participation at all levels.”
Professor Cathal Kelly, CEO Designate of the Royal College of Surgeons In Ireland (RCSI) said, “Universities play an important role in encouraging young people to participate in sport, whether they are our own students or local youngsters from the community. The University’s new sports hall boasts some of the best sporting facilities in the country and it is our intention that these first-class amenities will increase opportunities for our students and staff and the local community.”
Located adjacent to the University’s main building, the new sports centre features a main hall for indoor hockey, basketball, badminton, 5-a-side football, netball and volleyball. There are also separate male and female gymnasiums, a snooker room and an exercise studio for group classes such as dance, aerobics and yoga.
A constituent university of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, RCSI Bahrain has a capacity of 2,000 students and aims to provide healthcare education and training to world standards for students from Bahrain, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar.