Leading global brands such as Technogym, Puma and Honda Motorcycles besides international sports icons, professionals, organisations and enthusiasts from the GCC and other Arab countries will be at the inaugural edition of The Gulf Sports Expo which opens in Bahrain next week.

Set to become a major event in the local sports industry’s calendar, this year more than 30 participants have already booked large spaces.

The show, being held from May 17 to 19 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Conference Centre, is patronised by Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, 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 annual exhibition is being organised by Hano Consultancy, a leading Bahrain-based events management company, in association with the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs.

It will bring together sports icons, local and international athletes, sports industry professionals and organisations, and enthusiasts from Bahrain, the GCC and other Arab countries, all under one roof, with participating companies showcasing the latest products, equipment, and technologies from the world of sports.

Visitors will be treated to several sports competitions played on the sidelines of the exhibition, said the organisers.

"This is our first sports expo and I could not be prouder of the achievements of our team and partners. In addition to high level government support, we have a range of top brands taking part, including many of Bahrain’s top retailers," remarked Hano chairman Fawaz Baqer.

"People can also enter to participate in the basketball, MMA and table tennis competitions by contacting us beforehand, or just come to watch the games. There will also be healthy and nutritious food exhibited. We look forward to a successful, one of a kind event for the Kingdom," he noted.

"Teams can still be entered for the basketball, football, table tennis and MMA competitions. Local professional players will serve as Ambassadors of their respective sports, including Hussain Ayyad (MMA), Ali Monfaradi (JiuJitsu), Mohammed Salmeen (football), Jaffer Abdul Qader (handball) and Mahmood Hassan (volleyball)," he said.

According to him, the expo has also partnered with Bahrain Cricket Festival, whose stars will be present at the exhibition. The tickets to the Festival will be sold there, he added.

Gulf Air, the Kingdom’s national carrier, is a strategic partner to the event, in line with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.

Gulf Sports Expo is being organised with the support of Pico, a global group of agencies specialised in brand activation, and Miracle, a Bahrain-based design agency, which designed the event’s branding.

The participating companies include: 3Q Trading, Gulf Rubber, Almad Contracting, Welmed, Diadora, Sports Horizon, Reza’s Martial Arts Centre (RMAC), Al Doy Sports Centre, Technogym, Sphinx Club, AKI Sports, Al Baraka Sports, Bahrain Merida Pro Cycling Team, Pioneer, Scuba Master, AJM Kooheji, SciTensity, Delmon Crossfit, Animania, Sports Village, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Bahrain Basketball Association, Bahrain Football Association, Bahrain Tennis Club, Bahrain Cricket Association, KHK MMA, UFC Gym, Matrix Equipment, Energy Fitness, Winners Academy and Honda Motorcycles.-TradeArabia News Service