Amalgamation of Sport Clubs in The Kingdom of Bahrain A Comparative Study

Abstract

This study has been conducted in response to the request of the Public Corporation of Youth & Sports, Kingdom of Bahrain which sponsored the study in cooperation with the University of Bahrain. The study has been designed to allow for the specific determination of a sound scientific and practical basis for consolidation and amalgamation of the hitherto large number of sport clubs in the Kingdom which amount to 54. The objective is to streamline them into a limited number of ideal clubs that are better equipped in terms of buildings, human and financial resources. This has been envisaged as a condition and basis for any further development of sports in Bahrain. The study used a descriptive approach, in which a sample of 474 people have been extensively interviewed. A breakdown of the sample shows that 46 of the informants are working people in various units in the field of youth and sports in the Kingdom of Bahrain and other Gulf Cooperation Council [GCC] countries. Three hundred and twenty are active participants as players and trainers, and 108 were club administrators. The study involves field visits to about 17 clubs in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE. The research has focused on six major areas: 1/ Financial grants for sport clubs in Bahrain. 2/ Level of population density and distribution in Bahrain. 3/ The availability of human and material resources commanded by clubs in Bahrain. 4/ Level and rate of clubs participation in various local, regional and international sports tophies. 5/ Exploration of public opinion on the attendant status of sports in Bahrain and on the idea of clubs amalgamation. 6/ Analytical study of available past experiences of amalgamation in the GCC countries. To realize its objectives, the study has employed various tools of data collection including: carefully prepared and conducted questionnaires, personal interviews with selected informants, field visits to a number of key departments and clubs, and document analysis together with direct first-hand observations in Bahrain and abroad . In line with the above areas of the research, the study has reached a number of findings and conclusions. These have been attempted to be formulated and put into six main areas. All have emphasized the importance of amalgamating the clubs of Bahrain into 12 - 18 clubs, i.e. an average of 15 ideal clubs. In specific, the study has identified the following operational recommendations for application in this respect : 1/ Renaming of the amalgamated clubs. 2/ Mechanisms for amalgamation of clubs and time- phasing of this process. 3/ Establishment of youth centers as a substitute for the amalgamated small clubs. 4/ The bases for the formation of new amalgamated clubs boards of directors.