Min. Sheikh Salman renews call on FIFA to lift sports suspension

KUWAIT, Jan 11 (KUNA) -- Kuwaiti Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah has renewed his call for a lift of the suspension imposed on Kuwaiti sports activity so that the Kuwaiti football team can take part in the 2019 Asian Cup competition.
This was the core of a letter Sheikh Salman, who is also chairman of the Public Authority for Sports (PAS), sent to the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) on Wednesday.
The minister referred to the International Olympic Committee (IOC)'s letter dated 31 December 2016, and the FIFA's letter, dated 8 January 2016.
He stressed that Kuwait's response regarding the requirements of the IOC and the FIFA, was flexible, accepting what could be implemented in line with the national laws and the interests of the State of Kuwait.
The two letters in reply to the IOC and the FIFA, included the required and possible approval, that the general assemblies would form interim committees to undertake the affairs of the concerned sports authorities, the minister said.
Sheikh Salman's letter also included approval in principle, that "in case of reaching a final and a comprehensive solution on the issue of the suspension for the interest of the State of Kuwait, Kuwaiti sports, and Kuwaiti athletes, there is no proceed in the conciliation proceedings and the settlement of the conflict." A new and a developed draft bill on sports has already been completed, "to cope with the developments endured by the international sports rules and the Olympic Charter," the minister noted.
The draft bill has already been submitted to the National Assembly (Parliament), the minister said, reiterating the government's readiness to cooperate with the MPs in this regard.
Sheikh Salman expressed gratitude to the Kuwaiti lawmakers for their cooperation with PAS in the ongoing efforts to lift the suspension on the Kuwaiti sports so that the national football team could participate in the draw of the 2019 Asian Cup.
The minister renewed an invitation to the FIFA to visit Kuwait and attend the discussions on the new sports draft bill, and to offer their views.
On Monday, minister Sheikh Salman said that the Kuwaiti Government has met all requirements for lifting the international ban on the national sports "and this is its final stance" in this respect.
Emerging from a meeting of the parliamentary youth and sports committee, the minister expressed hope that every-one cooperate for the sake of resolving this problem and focus, instead, on overhauling the Kuwaiti sports sector. (end) msa