Kaltham Elyasi receives the girls' title from BOC Board member Shaikha Hayat bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa ©OCA

Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) Board member Shaikha Hayat bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa presented the trophies at the first Kingdom of Bahrain Universities' Table Tennis Championships, at the Gulf University Hall in Sanad.

Shaikha Hayat, who is also a Board member of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, the chair of the BOC's Women and Sport Committee and President of the Bahrain Table Tennis Association, was the event's patron.

More than 45 players from nine universities competed in three categories.

Rashid Sanad won the boys' title, while Kaltham Elyasi took the girls' crown and Dr Islam of Gulf University claimed the academics' championship.

Shaikha Hayat said she was pleased with the overall organisation of the event and commended the efforts of the Gulf University in hosting the inaugural table tennis competition for national universities in Bahrain.

More than 45 players from nine universities competed in three categories ©OCA
More than 45 players from nine universities competed in three categories ©OCA

Gulf University President Dr Muhannad Al Mashhadani said he was proud to be involved in the community partnership with the BOC and is looking forward to more sports exchanges and events in the future.

Shaikha Hayat led the Bahrain delegation at the fifth Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Women's Games, held in Qatar’s capital Doha in March.

Qatar topped the medal table, winning 21 golds, 20 silvers and 19 bronzes.

Bahrain finished second with 14 golds, 18 silvers and 10 bronzes, while the United Arab Emirates were third with 12 golds, eight silvers and 12 bronzes.

More than 350 athletes, 88 of which were Qatari, competed at the Games in 10 sports.