Shaikha Hayat bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa believes the country's participation at the Games can boost sporting development ©BOC

Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) Board member Shaikha Hayat bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa believes the country's participation in the upcoming Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Women's Games will further boost sporting development in the nation.

The event is due to be held from March 7 to 17 in the Qatari capital of Doha, where the Bahrain team will bid to win the competition for the third straight edition.

They were victorious on home soil in 2013 and then repeated the feat in Oman two years later.

Shaikha Hayat is set to lead the Bahrain delegation at the fifth GCC Women's Games, which features 13 sports - athletics, basketball, bowling, chess, equestrian, fencing, handball, shooting, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, as well athletics for people with disabilities.

She said Bahrain taking part in the Games is in line with the directives of Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports Chairman and BOC President.

Lulua Al Marri, President of Qatar Women Sport Committee, has confirmed they have finished preparations for next month's event.

Al Marri claims the Organising Committee have been holding daily meetings to ensure they are ready for the event while stressing the essential role of the various stakeholders, including the Qatar Olympic Committee.

The 2017 GCC Women's Games are expected to attract around 500 participants, according to organisers.

It represents the first-ever edition of the competition to be held in Qatar.