Gold starts from mentality.. Nasser bin Hamad reveals the secrets of sports achievements in Bahrain

His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King of Bahrain for Charitable Works and Youth Affairs, National Security Advisor, and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, stressed that true success for athletes is not measured only by results and medals, but rather begins when facing deep exhaustion, and the moment when a person wants to give up and decide to move forward with reason and discipline.

His Highness said during his session at the World Sports Summit, which was titled, “Leadership from the Front Lines, a Royal Vision with the Discipline of World Champions,” that sports and life are similar in testing toughness and discipline, and that the ability to make decisions under extreme physical and mental pressure is what distinguishes successful people from others.

He added: “I deal with my colleagues in all fields in the same way, and I am keen to lead by example. I do not ask anyone to do something that I am not prepared to do myself. This approach is what helped establish a culture of hard work and discipline among athletes, and made them strive to give their best even in the most difficult circumstances.”

Regarding Bahrain’s experience in the Paris Olympics, he pointed out that the goal was not merely to outperform others, but rather to instill a winning mentality and determination within the athletes. Gold is not just a result, but a way of thinking and continuous work. We have doubled the number of medals and become the first Arab country in the Olympics in terms of achievements and the number of gold, and the most important thing is what we gained mentally from this mentality.

He added: “Athletes in Bahrain began to ask, ‘What more can we do than get gold?’ This change in mentality created a strong motivation to continue progressing and achieving achievements.”

His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa stressed the importance of confronting what he called the “crisis of comfort.” Among the youth, he said: “Today, many young people are stuck behind screens. My advice to parents and young people is: Take your children out to real experiences and adventures. Let them face challenges and learn patience and endurance. Hardship builds resilience, which is the foundation of sustainable success.”

He explained: “The ability to make the right decision under pressure is a crucial skill. Whoever gives up when faced with pain will not achieve gold, while whoever trusts his mind and continues despite fatigue is the one who reaches the podium and raises the Bahraini flag high.”

His Highness spoke about sports investments in Bahrain, from Formula 1 to cycling, equestrian and football

He said, “We always seek to build a national sporting identity and raise Bahrain’s status on the global level to prove that a small country can achieve great achievements through planning, patience and a golden mentality.”

Regarding his personal ambition, His Highness confirmed that he will continue to represent Bahrain internationally in various tournaments, focusing on performance, discipline and the spirit of challenge.

He said: “With every new opportunity, we try to prove our competence. Achievement begins with the right will and mentality. We will continue to climb the podiums, and I will carry the Bahraini flag wherever I go.”

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