https://arab.news/ns5rb
- The 2-day event marks the first time a high diving competition and a WA event is held in Manama
- WA’s President Hussein Al-Musallam expressed enthusiasm over event, long-term aquatics agenda in Bahrain
MANAMA: Fifty of the world’s best divers will compete in Bahrain when it hosts the High Diving World Cup 2024 on Sept. 21 and 22 for the first time in the kingdom, World Aquatics announced on Thursday.
The two-day event marks the first time a high diving competition and a WA event is held in Manama.
Supported by Gulf Finance House Financial Group, the world’s top male and female high divers will meet in what is expected to be a great showcase for the aquatic sport.
WA’s President Hussein Al-Musallam expressed his excitement over the plans for the event and also the long-term aquatics agenda in Bahrain.
“World Aquatics is thrilled to be bringing high divers to Bahrain for the first time, building on the recent establishment of the WA center of excellence at the University of Technology, Bahrain,” said Al-Musallam, stressing that the future for aquatic sports in Bahrain looks very bright and “is clearly set to have a global impact.”
He added: “I extend a heartfelt thank you to the Bahrain Olympic Committee, the GFH Financial Group and the Bahrain Swimming Federation for their continued commitment to the development of aquatic sports.”
The competition’s diving platforms will be 27 meters high against the city’s stunning skyline, whereby fans and stakeholders are promised an unforgettable experience at every dive.
It has also been confirmed that the Bahrain stop will serve as a qualification tournament for the World Aquatics Championships — Singapore 2025.
Commenting on the announcement, Canadian high diver Molly Carlson said: “I am so excited to be competing in Bahrain for the High Diving World Cup and to have this date and place to look forward to.”
Each competition brings its own unique energy and atmosphere, she said.
“With this being the first stop in the competition this year, the anticipation will be high too!” added Carlson.
British fellow high diver Aidan Heslop, who was recently crowned men’s high dive champion, said: “After the success of the World Aquatics Championships — Doha 2024, I can’t wait to get back to that part of the world. It’s a great place to compete in and it will be all the more special for sharing the experience among this community of athletes that I’ve really come to appreciate.”