Monday, October 12, 2015
Kuwait Officials On Charm Offensive Ahead Of FIFA Decision
KUWAIT: Minister of Information and
Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al-Humoud
Al-Sabah, who has arrived in Lausanne, Switzerland, will hold talks with
officials of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on the sports
situation in Kuwait today.
Minister Sheikh Salman vowed to clarify to the international officials the sports’ status in Kuwait, with emphasis that the national rules neither contravene with the Olympic Charter, nor with relevant international regulations. He will affirm that all Kuwaiti sports authorities enjoy full administrative and technical independence.
The national soccer team joined the world cup in 1982 after winning the
Asian AFC cup in 1980. Kuwait had also been crowned as the Gulf champion
several times. The State strategy for the youth, partially, stipulates
special concern and attention to boosting sports. It has built many
sports facilities in the residential districts to encourage the citizens
to exercise.
The discussions are expected to focus on FIFA’ warning to suspend
national sports, namely the most popular game, football, due to what
FIFA says are some legal and administrative irregularities in the
sector, such as politicians’ meddling in sports.
Minister Sheikh Salman vowed to clarify to the international officials the sports’ status in Kuwait, with emphasis that the national rules neither contravene with the Olympic Charter, nor with relevant international regulations. He will affirm that all Kuwaiti sports authorities enjoy full administrative and technical independence.
Sheikh Salman stated that the State of Kuwait attaches much attention to
sports and youth just out of its commitment to the constitution and in
line with His Highness the Amir’s directives, while providing financial
and logistic backing to sports authorities, chiefly the Kuwait Olympic
Committee.
Simultaneously, a joint delegation grouping MPs of the National Assembly
(Parliament) and officials of the Public Authority for Youth and Sports
(PAYS) has also travelled to Switzerland to express identical views in
defense of Kuwait’s stance on the issue.
Chairman of the parliamentary youth affairs committee MP Abdullah
Al-Maiouf said the legislators and PAYS official would seek to persuade
FIFA that the local sports laws do not run counter with the Olympic
Charter, and that the envoys would affirm that there was no “political
meddling in the Kuwaiti sports affairs.
“We will prove with evidences that laws issued by the Parliament as
representative of the people do not contravene with international
principles and covenants.”
However, Al-Maiouf said in case FIFA insisted on maintaining its stance,
Kuwait would request clarification of its rules and regulations that
are referred to for suspending the sports in Kuwait, and would even ask
FIFA about the Kuwaiti laws it considers as not in harmony with the
Olympic Charter.
He added Kuwait would ask for a detailed, written and official report as
to the domestic laws that FIFA believes they should be modified “for
sake of pinpointing the flaws, if they exist, and casting away, for
good, the prospect of suspending the sports in Kuwait.”
Such legal amendments would warrant sufficient period of time for
discussing and examining them, as well as referring them to the National
Assembly for endorsement, MP Al-Maiouf explained, expressing optimism
that the meeting with the FIFA would end with a decision to “spare the
Kuwaiti sports the risk of suspension.”
The national sports clubs have largely spoken an identical language.
Nine Kuwaiti clubs, out of the country’s 15 ones, at a meeting last
week, affirmed respect and support for the local sovereign laws, which
essentially stipulate the State’s non-interference in the affairs of the
sports clubs, respect for the Olympic Charter and covenants of the
international federations.
The officials emphasized that there has been no government interference,
whatsoever, that may impede the Kuwaiti sports, noting that without the
material and moralistic support given by the Government and PAYS, the
national clubs and sports federation would not have been able to
function.
FIFA, on September 24th, warned the Kuwaiti Football Association that it
would slap a ban on the country’s participation in international soccer
events as of October 15, unless Kuwait amended the local sports laws
and rendered them compatible with international regulations.
Many Kuwaitis practice some kind of sports or exercise and soccer, in
particular, is very popular in the country. Kuwaitis follow up not only
on local and regional soccer events and games, but international and
European matches and tournaments, as well.
# posted by Me @ 1:49 PM 
