The 53rd Skal Asian Area Congress took place from 23rd to 26th May 2024 at the Gulf Hotel Manama Bahrain. The event was inaugurated by Ms. Sara Buheji, the Chief Operating Officer of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA). More than 100 Skalleagues from Skal Clubs in Asia, Australia, Europe, and the USA, as well as from the local Bahrain club, attended the Congress.
Sk Mohamed Buzizi, the President of Skal International Bahrain, extended a warm welcome to the delegates and assured them that meticulous arrangements had been made to guarantee the success of the Congress.
The President of Skal International, Ms. Annette Cardenas, spoke on her theme for her Presidential Year i. e. “Building Bridges for a Stronger Skal” and urged clubs and members to come together to grow. “It is only through Unity that we can be successful” she said. She said that Regions were created to give a greater voice to clubs in the Executive Board and stressed the importance of the Area Committees in keeping the clubs in the respective areas engaged and energized. She said that she enjoyed the beauty and hospitality of the Bahrain people and was impressed in this her first visit to Bahrain.
The President of Skal International Asia, Keethi Jayaweera, in his opening speech welcoming the delegates to the Conference, asked Skalleagues to grasp this opportunity to forge new connections, deepen existing bonds and exchange valuable insights from their own experiences.
Skal International Bahrain’s Founder member and its 1st President, Mr. Jamil Wafa, who had travelled from Miami, USA to attend the Congress, gave an insight into the history of the formation of the Bahrain club and how it had progressed over the years. It was an inspiring presentation from the nonagenarian who delivered his speech with aplomb and clear recall which impressed the audience.
In her response to the speakers, Ms. Buheji welcomed the delegates on behalf of the Minister of Tourism of Bahrain, who was unfortunately called away on Government business at the last moment. She outlined the role that the BTEA plays in promoting Bahrain and the facilities provided to Exhibition Organizers to assist them in successfully attracting visitors to the Exhibitions held in Bahrain.
Speeches by two keynote speakers, Mr. Jeffrey Goh, CEO of Gulf Air, the official Airline Sponsor of the Congress and Dr Jassim Haji, President International Group on Artificial Intelligence, who spoke on the effects AI will have on the Tourism Industry, followed.
In addition to Skal President Annette Cardenas, the Congress was graced by the presence of Director Region 10 N S N Mohan, Director Region 11 Kevin Rautenberg, Director Region 8 Jose Luis Quintero and Director Region 1 Andres Hayes. The Opening Ceremony received wide publicity in the Bahrain media, both print and TV. At the end of the 4-day Congress, the delegates left Bahrain reinvigorated with the Spirit of Skal reinforced with the messages of Amicale and Camaraderie which is at the very essence of Skal.