SPORTS enthusiasts in Bahrain will soon have the opportunity to hone their skills and make it big on the international arena when the state-of-the-art Isa Sports City (ISC) opens it doors shortly.

Designed to harness the Olympic ambitions of both men and women, the newly-renovated and extended Isa Sports City (ISC) – spread over 431,846 sq m – will provide them with facilities to exploit their sporting talents for the international stage.
Aiming to improve its existing campus near Isa Town and after analysing the future sporting needs of Bahrain, the General Organisation for Youth and Sports (Goys) has conceived a project comprising three new sports halls and a new 7,000-capacity arena, while renovating facilities of the existing National Stadium.
This project is being managed by the Ministry of Works, with Ismail Khonji Associates and Leigh & Orange providing lead consultancy, architectural and engineering services. Bokhowa Group is the main contractor.
Leigh & Orange will design four new sports halls to be used for training for national and international level competition for a wide variety of sports, as well as for hosting club, regional and international competitions before 10,000 spectators.
Three of these sports halls, part of Phase One, are now under construction. This phase, set for completion in October and already half complete, includes three multi-purpose state-of-the-art sports halls.   Hall B with 850-seating capacity will host table tennis competitions, Hall C with 1,100 seats will be used for martial arts contests, while Hall D with room for 1,500 spectators will host sports events for the disabled. In addition, these halls will also facilitate international handball, volleyball and basketball events.
The project includes a highly-secured VIP viewing area; a hostel accommodation block for 36 guests; and an additional car parking with more than 1,600 spaces.
Earmarked for construction in Phase Two is the 7,000-capacity new arena, which will be the most important facility in the project. When complete, this oval-shaped building will become the largest indoor sports facility in Bahrain. The multi-purpose sports playing area, in the centre of the building, has been designed to accommodate basketball, volleyball and handball practice and competitions. A six-lane 400-m athletic track, circumscribing the sports playing area will be used for training, while a removable banked track will be used for competition. The spectator area includes both fixed bleachers and state-of-the-art retractable seats.
Meanwhile, facilities at the existing National Stadium will be upgraded for football, and track and field events as well as for its 17,500 spectators including seat replacement of the entire capacity, track and roof replacement, new ticket kiosks, and a new scoreboard.