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ONE of the island's most poignant memorial sporting fixtures takes place at Bahrain Rugby Club on the weekend the club should have been celebrating its 40th anniversary with a sporting and reunion spectacular.
The recent political unrest put paid to that but logistics giant DHL has stepped into the fray by agreeing to play one of the year's most competitive fixtures in place of a proposed international match.
A Bahrain Select team will take on DHL's Select XV - gathered from the company's employees around the region - as part of three days of rugby activities, starting with an end-of-season ball and ending with a sporting dinner as the Heineken Cup Final is broadcast.
But rugby fans will be focusing on Friday's local match action. Elliott Santon, DHL Express marketing manager, said: "Last year's game was certainly an improvement on 2009 in terms of quality of play and for sheer excitement value. The match ended in a draw, which was nothing short of a miracle.
"The Barbarians managed to somehow cope with the depth and strength of a very talented Bahrain side, granted not at full strength.
"And, this year we want to ensure we continue the strength and growth of this marvellous event, both on and off the field. Again, a major part of the team are made up of DHL Iraq and Afghanistan employees, other members of the DHL Middle East community and some of our very kind and talented 'friends'.
"Please come along! This will be a fantastic day of fun and entertainment for all the family. It is also an extremely important day of remembrance and opportunity to raise funds for some very great causes."
More than 1,000 employees are based in Bahrain working across all business units.
The memorial game is played in memory of three DHL staff - David Giles, Jason Bresler and Mohammed Shafiq who died in Afganistan. Mr Giles lived in Sanad with his mother. He worked 11 weeks on and two weeks off in Afghanistan and returned to Bahrain for his breaks. His sisters are both married to Bahrainis.
The two rugby sides have been embroiled in sporting fixtures dating back 30 years. Mr Santon explained: "DHL Barbarians was dreamt up by a group of rugby enthusiasts working for DHL in the Middle East region way, way back in 1981.
"Those men received their first Barbarian honours running out against Bahrain Rugby Club in April of that year when the dream was eventually realised.
"This game grew into an annual event and the spirit of the DHL Barbarians took on a life of its own and lived on for many years. Unfortunately, the annual run out between Bahrain and DHL Barbarians dwindled out due to various reasons. However, the spirit lived on, quietly awaiting its call to duty once again.
"That call was made back in 2009 on the back of two main reasons. Believe it or not, some of the team members who received their first DHL Barbarian honours back in 1981 still worked for DHL in various senior positions throughout the world. One of those was Garry Kemp - area director Middle East, North Africa and Turkey. Garry and the original gang were eager to see a revival.
"Secondly, and most importantly, the DHL Iraq, Afghanistan and Middle East community were seeking an event that we could dedicate to the memory of our fallen brothers. This seemed perfect.
"On October 25, 2008, Jason Bresler, David Giles and Mohammed Shafiq were tragically taken from us in Kabul, Afghanistan. Whilst we remember them everyday, this event allows us to get family and friends together, play rugby and celebrate their lives.
"At the same time, it affords us an opportunity to raise money for three charities specifically requested by the families of our three brothers."
This year the match will also help raise funds for children's cancer charities, a cause championed by the Bahrain Rugby Club's chairman, Mehdi Honar.
Established in 1976, DHL Express was the first logistics provider to set up operations in the region and for more than 30 year has remained committed to Bahrain.
The geographical position of the kingdom is integral to DHL's regional infrastructure and its plans for new transportation routes within the Middle East in the future. Its network in Bahrain includes the DHL Middle East Express Head Office and DHL Aviation Head Office.
The company's commitment to rugby is also strong. DHL Express has been appointed as a 'worldwide partner' for the Rugby World Cup 2011 tournament in New Zealand.
DHL will be responsible for ticket distribution, express shipments and international and domestic freight movements for Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) and the International Rugby Board (IRB). This includes the delivery of more than 20 tonnes of equipment for the national teams involved.
