Under the patronage and presence of the President of the Kuwait Olympic Committee, Sheikh Fahad Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and in the presence of the Director General of the Public Authority for Sport, Mr. Bashar Abdullah Al-Salem, the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs for Evaluation and Assessment at Kuwait University, Dr. Sulaiman Ali Al-Rifaie (representing KU President Prof. Dina Musaed Al-Mailem), Chairman of the Athletes Committee at the Kuwait Olympic Committee Mr. Abdullah Shaaban, and Kuwait University faculty member and Olympic Committee member Dr. Soaad Al-Faqaan the inaugural edition of the Kuwait Athletes Forum 2025 was launched on Monday, August 25, 2025. The event, hosted at the Conference Center in Sabah Al-Salem University City, was held in collaboration with the Olympic Solidarity Program (International Olympic Committee) and the Olympic Council of Asia.
This forum marks the first of its kind in Kuwait and aims to prepare Kuwaiti athletes for upcoming international competitions, while fostering dialogue and engagement with national sports leadership. It addressed key topics through the participation of distinguished sports leaders, expert lecturers, and Olympic champions. The forum’s core themes included:
Administrative and technical support for athletes in Kuwait
Mental and technical preparation for major competitions
Combating competition manipulation
Athlete protection
Anti-doping awareness
These topics were presented by notable speakers, including:
Mr. Bashar Abdullah Al-Salem, Director General of the Public Authority for Sport
Abdelrahman Al-Mustafa, Olympic Ambassador from the International Olympic Academy and member of the British Medical Association
Ms. Nadia Ali Al-Shamali, Head of Anti-Doping at the Olympic Council of Asia
Ms. Enas Hussein, Member of the International Partnership Against Corruption in Sport (IPACS) and the AI Working Group on Sports Integrity
Ms. Moudhi Al-Sudairi, Assistant Director of International Relations at the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, IOC-Certified Safe Sport Officer, and Founding Member of the Asian Sports Safety Network (ASSN)
In his opening speech, Sheikh Fahad Nasser Al-Sabah expressed his pride in launching the forum’s first edition. He extended his gratitude to the Olympic Council of Asia for their continued support and to Kuwait University for hosting this significant sporting event. He also praised the efforts of the Athletes Committee in organizing the forum, affirming that it represents a genuine platform for constructive dialogue and a valuable step toward enhancing sports in ways that serve all athletes across Kuwait.
Dr. Sulaiman Al-Rifai, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs for Evaluation and Assessment, warmly welcomed Sheikh Fahad Nasser Al-Sabah, Mr. Bashar Al-Salem, and all distinguished guests. He emphasized that Kuwait University serves as an open, national academic institution devoted to serving both the community and the field of sports. He highlighted the university’s commitment to forging partnerships with sports institutions, grounded in its belief in the role of science and knowledge in elevating athletic performance and developing champions who can proudly represent Kuwait on regional and international stages. Dr. Al-Rifai also extended his sincere wishes for success to all athletes, underscoring that their support is a shared responsibility vital to building a promising sporting future for the nation.
From her side, Dr. Soaad Al-Faqaan, faculty member at Kuwait University and member of the Kuwait Olympic Committee, noted that the forum targets athletes across various disciplines, aiming to equip them with the knowledge and skills required to face challenges and prepare both mentally and physically for upcoming events. She expressed her best wishes for their continued success in their sporting careers.
Organizers of the forum expressed their hope that this initiative would achieve its noble goals and represent a qualitative addition to the advancement of sports in Kuwait, reinforcing its status both regionally and globally.
The forum concluded with a recognition ceremony honoring a distinguished group of athletes in appreciation of their dedication and outstanding contributions to raising Kuwait’s flag at various international sporting events.