Kuwait Olympic Committee files official complaint after three athletes barred from entering Japan to compete in the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya - Sarmad
• The Kuwait Olympic Committee reaffirms its commitment to protecting athletes’ rights and enabling them to represent Kuwait at international forums
Ali Al-Mari, Assistant Secretary-General of the Kuwait Olympic Committee, clarified that the committee has filed an official complaint with the organizing committee of the 2026 Nagoya Asian Games to explain why three players from the Kuwaiti national senior football team were denied entry into Japan, despite having received official accreditation cards issued by the organizing committee, which explicitly state that these cards serve as entry visas to the host country.
Al-Mari stated that the Kuwait Olympic Committee fulfilled all approved procedures and requirements, and submitted on time to the organizing committee all data and documents pertaining to the members of the Kuwaiti delegation, including the three players, as received from the Kuwait Football Association in accordance with established procedures.
He noted that the organizing committee issued official accreditation cards for the players after receiving their data and travel documents, clarifying that the three players hold travel documents issued under Article 17, and that the decision to deny them entry was made by the relevant Japanese authorities at Nagoya Airport.
Al-Mari added that the Kuwaiti delegation arrived in the Thai capital, Bangkok, and departed from there to Japan, where they presented their travel documents and official accreditation cards issued by the organizing committee in accordance with established procedures, yet the relevant authorities at Nagoya Airport refused them entry.
He emphasized that the Kuwait Olympic Committee immediately initiated communications and took necessary efforts with the relevant authorities to address the issue and enable the players to join the delegation and participate in the Games.
Al-Mari also extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to the Chargé d’Affaires of the State of Kuwait’s Embassy in Japan, Sheikh Jaber Al-Sabah, for his efforts, cooperation, and continuous initiatives to contribute to resolving this matter.
He concluded by reaffirming the Kuwait Olympic Committee’s full commitment to protecting the rights of Kuwaiti athletes and enabling them to represent the State of Kuwait at all international sporting forums.
