Al-Jalahma: We compete with time to develop Kuwaiti sports and support all athletes to achieve accomplishments

Osama Diab

The Japanese Embassy in Kuwait hosted a reception at Ambassador Kinichiro Mukai’s residence to support Kuwaiti athletes participating in the 20th Asian Games and the 5th Asian Para Games, scheduled to be held in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, in September and October next year.

Attending the event were State Minister for Youth and Sports Dr. Tariq Al-Jalahma, President of the Kuwait Olympic Committee Sheikh Fahad Nasser Al-Sabah, President of the Kuwait Para Sports Committee Mansour Al-Sarheed, Honorary President of the Kuwait Sports Club for Persons with Disabilities Sheikh Sheikha Al-Abdullah, and more than 70 dignitaries, representatives of government entities and sports federations, and a select group of athletes. The Asian Games will take place from September 19 to October 4, while the Asian Para Games will be held from October 18 to 24.

Dr. Tariq Al-Jalahma emphasized that Kuwait’s participation in both tournaments represents the nation, expressing his hope that Kuwaiti male and female athletes would achieve outstanding results and raise the Kuwaiti flag on the podiums.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the reception, Al-Jalahma said, “We wish success to my brothers and sisters, the athletes, in the Asian Games, and we aspire to see the Kuwaiti flag on the podiums.” He noted that Kuwait boasts exceptional talent across various sports, in addition to Para athletes who have made a distinctive presence at the international level.

Regarding the enhancement of sports cooperation with Japan, he stressed that the exchange of expertise between countries is “important and necessary,” adding that any area that could offer a qualitative addition to Kuwaiti sports and its development would be carefully studied and given due attention.

He emphasized that supporting athletes, including those with disabilities, stems from the directives of the political leadership and its interest in the youth and sports sectors, affirming that the Ministry stands by them and strives to provide all means enabling their success and active integration into society. He noted that plans for the development of Kuwaiti sports are not limited to football but encompass various sports, pointing to the existence of an action plan for the upcoming phase aimed at advancing different sports.

He added that the “building phase requires time, study, and careful consideration in decision-making, as well as learning from the obstacles we have faced,” noting that time represents one of the most significant challenges facing sports work, stating, “We always have an opponent that no one notices, which is time… We are competing against time.”

He clarified that Kuwait’s journey and projects continue regardless of changes in leadership, expressing his hope to complete previously planned projects alongside studying new ones, without revealing details at present as they are still under research.

For his part, Japanese Ambassador to Kuwait Kinichiro Mukai emphasized that hosting the event aligns with supporting Kuwaiti athletes participating in the Asian Games and the Asian Para Games, stressing that sports serve as an important bridge for rapprochement among peoples and enhancing bilateral relations. He explained that Kuwaiti athletes will participate in 20 to 30 sports, providing broad opportunities for interaction with Japanese athletes and other Asian teams, thereby deepening friendship and cooperation between Kuwait and Japan.

Mukai revealed that the Japanese Embassy is in the process of issuing more than 200 visas for the Kuwaiti delegation, including athletes, committee members, and coaching staff, noting that both sides are exploring ways to deepen sports cooperation, despite the absence of a specialized agreement in this field so far.

Regarding bilateral relations, he affirmed that Kuwaiti-Japanese cooperation is expanding into new areas alongside traditional partnerships in oil, energy, electricity, and water, now encompassing artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, renewable energy, and other vital sectors. He pointed out that the two countries are also discussing several security issues, ensuring stable energy supplies, enhancing resilience, and exchanging expertise, emphasizing Japan’s commitment to cooperating with Kuwait in all efforts aimed at ensuring the security and stability of navigation.

He disclosed anticipation for high-level talks between the two countries in the near future, expecting an announcement “within days.”