Kuwaiti Flag Raised to Mark Sports Delegation's Participation in 2026 Asian Games in Japan
The Kuwaiti flag was raised in Nagoya ahead of the Asian Games, with delegation officials confirming the athletes' readiness to achieve honorable results.
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Kuwait City, September 16 (KUNA) -- The Kuwaiti flag was raised today at the Olympic Village in Nagoya, Japan, in a ceremony marking the official participation of the Kuwaiti sports delegation in the 20th Asian Games (Aichi-Nagoya 2026), scheduled to take place from September 19 to October 4.
Attending the flag-raising ceremony were the Director General of the Kuwait Olympic Committee and Head of the Delegation, Brigadier General (Retired) Mohammed Al-Khalfan; Deputy Head of the Delegation, Dr. Hussein Al-Saeeed; Financial Director Mohammed Atef; along with several members of the Kuwaiti delegation and officials from the participating sports federations.
The ceremony took place in a festive atmosphere, with the Kuwaiti national anthem played as the flag was hoisted. This scene is familiar to Kuwaiti athletes before the start of major continental championships, reflecting their pride in national identity and their representation of Kuwait at the largest sporting event in Asia.
On this occasion, Brigadier General (Retired) Al-Khalfan stated in a press interview that the raising of the Kuwaiti flag represents a moment of pride for all delegation members. He commended the Kuwait Olympic Committee for its efforts in preparing the athletes and providing all necessary support to achieve the best possible results at the Games.
Al-Khalfan added that this participation is the culmination of a preparation and training phase that spanned several months, during which full coordination was maintained with the relevant national sports federations to ensure the players' technical and physical readiness, overcome all obstacles, and provide the logistical and administrative resources needed to guarantee a suitable competitive environment.
He noted that the Committee is closely monitoring the final preparations of the delegation, emphasizing that its goal goes beyond mere participation to achieving honorable competitive results that reflect the level reached by Kuwaiti sports and consolidate the country's presence at major Asian forums.
He pointed out that the Kuwait modern pentathlon team is competing for top positions, while players Rutab Abdulhussein and Hubairi Al-Thuwaini are continuing their journey in the women's individual modern pentathlon semifinals. The modern pentathlon comprises fencing, hurdles, swimming, and running (laser run). He stated that the two players are determined to deliver outstanding performances in this crucial stage, hoping to secure results that will qualify them to advance to the final stages of the competition.
Al-Khalfan also mentioned that player Zaid Aidan will begin his participation in the teqball men's singles preliminary rounds, aiming to qualify for the later stages of the tournament. Additionally, the pair Bassel Ahmed and Abdulwahab Al-Qattan will compete in the men's doubles preliminary rounds, hoping for a strong start that will enhance their chances of reaching the final stages.
For his part, Nasser Al-Waleed, President of the Kuwait Modern Pentathlon Club, said in a similar statement that the team began its participation in the Asian Games (Nagoya 2026) based on qualification cards earned during its participation in last year's Asian Championship in Japan, which resulted in Kuwait securing three qualification spots (two for women and one for men).
Al-Waleed said the Games feature strong competition with 36 players representing 14 Asian countries. He noted that the competitions start directly from the semifinals according to the tournament format. In the fencing preliminaries of the modern pentathlon, Mohammed Al-Sahbi represents Kuwait in the men's category, while Hubairi Al-Thuwaini and Rutab Abdulhussein compete in the women's category.
He expressed the confidence of the team's administrative and technical staff in their high aspirations and their belief in the national team players' ability to deliver outstanding performances and reach advanced stages. He affirmed the players' readiness to compete at the highest levels to raise the Kuwaiti flag at this continental event.
(End) M.Y.M./A.M.H.
