Manama will stage the annual gathering, which carries the theme "Towards building a new sports system".

More than 800 officials from 120 countries are expected to come together for the conference, which will look at the science behind sport, as well as social development, sports marketing and sponsorship issues.

From December 18 to 20, there will be a number of discussions on several significant scientific research papers that are linked to health, sports, physical education and recreation.

The aim of the congress is to "promote active lifestyle" and "how important it is related to personal, physical and mental health".

It is being organised by the Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) in cooperation with the International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sports and Dance, also known as ICHPER.SD.

Invitations have been sent to "ministries, private universities and all relevant organisations that are interested in scientific research from inside and outside the kingdom of Bahrain".

The Executive Committee, headed by BOC general secretary Abdulrahman Askar, is overseeing an official website for the event which is due to be launched "soon".

The committee also includes BOC board member Dr Khalid Al Alawi,  IT director Nawaf Abdulrahman, Media Committee head Mohammed Lori, Public Relations head Fajer Jassim, Financial Committee head Hamad Buhijji and congress coordinator Dalal Salama.

Manama's Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre will host the Congress.

Last year's event was held in the Turkish city of Istanbul.