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MORE than 6,000 fans flocked to the three-day ‘Bahrain Gaming Experience 2016’ organised by the Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority, in co-operation with Sony … and a teenage Bahraini reached his goal of achieving gaming glory.
Headlining the event was the FIFA 16 tournament bringing together 1,024 participants, many travelling from neighbouring Gulf States, battling it out for the grand prize. The event at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre was the largest of its kind in the region.
Bahraini Mohammed Al Iraaj, 19, won the competition and the grand prize, a brand-new Mini Copper, followed by fellow Bahraini Naser Al Rayes, who walked away with $10,000, while Kuwaiti Ahmed Jaber came in third place and took $5,000.
Shaikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa, acting chief executive of the Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority, said: “We are proud of the success achieved in hosting the Bahrain Gaming Experience, the first event to be held under the umbrella of ‘Manama Capital of Gulf Tourism 2016’.
“The event witnessed a huge participation and attendance from Gulf nationals. Our main mission is to host events that further add value to Bahrain’s hospitality and tourism sector.”
Delighted Mohammed is a keen player of the football console game and has displayed his playing prowess in many regional competitions. He said: “I normally reach the quarter-finals stage. However, to win for the first time and in my own country is fantastic. The feeling is indescribable!”
The ‘Manama Gulf Capital of Tourism’ initiative aims to strengthen the development of two-way tourism between the GCC countries and its people, as well as familiarise the historic cities and civilizations of the region. A number of events and activities will be held throughout the year.
