This decision was taken due to a recent spate of sudden deaths in several national and expatriate athletes during exercise.

The Athletic Performance Lab was only open to national teams athletes in the past.

However, the BOC has decided to open its doors even further to allow all athletes in Bahrain to perform health checkups prior to exercise. 

The initiative follows BOC President Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa's desire to provide optimum medical services for Bahrain’s athletes.

BOC general secretary Abdulrahman Askar said the committee will purchase all necessary equipment to offer medical and physical tests for any athlete wishing to conduct a specific exercise to ensure his safety in the near future.

He stressed that the efforts of the BOC are in line with its strategy to promote public health within society and its responsibility towards all members of the community in Bahrain.

The physical performance laboratory, which is under the umbrella of the BOC’s Projects Directorate, provides several important tests.

These include fitness, flexibility, agility, ability, pace, endurance, cardio respiratory endurance and heart efficiency, in addition to other tests according to several international standards.

Sheikh Nasser was re-elected as the President of the BOC until 2020 in May.

His position was confirmed after he was the sole candidate in the running.

Sheikh Nasser is a member of the Bahrain Royal Family and holds roles including Charity Works and Youth Affairs and also chairing the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports.