BAHRAIN'S preparations in hosting the Riffa Views Inter-Gulf Netball Championships are well underway. The kingdom's teams recently unveiled their new uniforms for the competition, which will take place on March 7 and 8 at the Bahrain Rugby Football Club in Saar. The two-day tournament is being held for the 22nd year.

The new kit, presented by Riffa Views and supplied by Puma, was distributed to all Bahrain's players following a training match last week against visiting team Dhahran Netball.

"We're really pleased with our new kit," Bahrain squad coordinator Mel Goosen said. "It's made of high performance material and will be great for playing in hot weather. It's a real change from our traditional uniforms, and we look forward to competing with our new look."

Riffa Views chief executive Richard Browning added: "We are proud to present the new kit, not only with the characteristic Riffa Views icon but in Bahrain's national colours as well. We wish the Bahrain netball squads every success in the championships."

Five ladies' teams and one men's team will be representing the kingdom in the event. The ladies squads are made up of players from the Bahrain Netball League. Players range from ages 14 to 45, and include nationals from Bahrain, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

The Bahrain teams' preparations will step up a notch leading up to the championships as visiting England Netball coaches Gilly Salter and Liz Banyard arrive tonight for 10 days of intensive training. Salter was also in Bahrain in November of last year with fellow England coach Sue Wainwright as they began the players' training for the competition.

Twenty-three teams from across the Gulf, including two men's squads, are taking part this year. The competition will feature winners in the Invitational Cup, the Championship, the Plate, the Bowl and the men's division. Last year's tournament, held in Abu Dhabi, was won by the Dubai 'A' team, while Bahrain's 'A' squad finished fifth.