HIS Majesty King Hamad yesterday honoured members of the Bahrain Endurance Team at the Safriya Palace.The Bahrain team members won top honours at the second GCC Endurance Championship in Abu Dhabi, the Al Maktoum International Showjumping Championship in Dubai and the Sharjah International Championships held recently.His Majesty received the honorary president of the Royal Equestrian and Endurance Racing Fede-ration Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, first deputy Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Royal team member Shaikh Faisal bin Hamad Al Khalifa on the occasion.

Bahrain's Mohammed Abdulaziz finished first in the individual event ahead of another Bahraini rider Salem Al Otabi while Shaikha Nayla bint Salman bin Saqer Al Khalifa finished fourth. In the general league, Ahmad Al Ruwayee finished 14th. Abass Al Ghurayfee took the top honours in the Power Eight Highest Jump competition of the Dubai event and finished second in the Sharjah championship.

His Majesty praised the Bahraini riders for their top class performance and wished them further success in future competitions. His Majesty also outlined the importance of such competitions in developing endurance racing in the GCC region and bringing the people of GCC countries together.

Shaikh Nasser thanked His Majesty for his wise directives and continued patronage.

The other dignitaries present on the occasion included, His Majesty's sports advisor Saleh bin Hindi, General Organisation for Youth and Sports president Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, head of the endurance committee Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa and other Royal federation officials