The project, which is the first of its kind in the country, is designed to motivate youngsters to try out a variety of sports and lead a healthy lifestyle, while introducing them to the Olympic values.

It is hoped it will help to uncover Bahrain's new sporting talents, with this year's competition to include football, basketball, athletics and table tennis.

The School Olympics will also feature educational programmes and meetings with Olympic champions.

The plans were discussed at a meeting attended by BOC acting general secretary Abdulrahman Askar, BOC technical director Lounes Madene, BOC corporate communications executive coordinator Fajer Jassim, Shaikha Al-Jeeb - the Education Ministry's Physical Education, Scouting and Girl Guidance Director - and Essam Abdulla - the Education Ministry's Physical Education section head.

Al-Jeeb welcomed the initiative and said the Ministry is keen to strengthen its relationship with the BOC.

Work will now continue on arranging the project, with meetings due to be held to discuss operational frameworks, budgets and the formation of an organising committee.

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