His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, alongside other senior Kuwaiti officials, received on Wednesday at Bayan Palace visiting FIFA President Gianni Infantino and a delegation accompanying him.
His Highness the Amir expressed his gratitude to FIFA's head honcho for his unyielding support for Kuwaiti athletes, which he said was imperative to allow the nation's youth the opportunity to excel.
The encounter brought together officials from across Kuwait's political spectrum, including His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim, Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Acting Minister of State for Youth Affairs Khaled Al-Roudhan and head of parliament's priorities committee MP Ahmad Al-Fadhl.
Meanwhile, Infantino spoke of his "honor to have met a world-renowned figure like His Highness the Amir", as he gleefully announced that a two-year ban imposed on Kuwait's football federation has officially been lifted.
On this monumental announcement, Infantino hoped it would be the start of a new era for the soccer-crazed Gulf nation, saying he was proud that Kuwait has rejoined the FIFA family.
He added that lifting the suspension on Kuwait's football federation was a "commemorative gift to His Highness the Amir in a day that will forever be remembered." Kuwait's chief lawmaker Al-Ghanim thanked His Highness the Amir for his efforts to allow Kuwaiti footballers the chance to play again, saying that Infantino should be given his due as well for welcoming Kuwait back to FIFA. (end) ysa.nam