KUWAIT, Jan 7 (KUNA) -- His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah honored Kuwaiti athletes and sports figures for their achievements and accomplishments in the field, during a ceremony held under his auspices on Monday.
Upon his arrival at the ceremony's venue, His Highness Sheikh Nawaf was received by Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Hmoud Al-Sabah, Director General of Kuwait's Public Authority for Youth and Sport (PAYS) Faisal Al-Jazzaf, and high ranking officials in PAYS and organizing committees.
After playing the national anthem several opening speeches took place delivered by HH the Crown Prince, Sheikh Salman and Al-Jazzaf.
Later, His Highness the Crown Prince handed out honorary plaques to sports officials including Chairman of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) and of Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, President of the Kuwaiti and international police sports bodies Sheikh Ahmed AL-Nawaf AL-Ahmed AL-Sabah, President of Kuwait Football Association Sheikh Talal Fahad Al-Sabah, President of Kuwait and Asian, Shooting Federation Sheikh Salman Al-Hmoud Al-Sabah, President of the Asian Swimming Federation Sheikh Khaled Al-Bader Al-Sabah, President of the Asian Bowling Federation Sheikh Talal Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, President of the Asian Tennis Federation Sheikh Ahmad Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah and President and Deputy President of the Judo Federation Obaid Zayid Al-Enezi.
Also President of Asia International Sports Press Association (AIPS) Faisal Al-Qenai, Media Representative and Arab Sports Honorary Mohammad Al-Mesnad, Executive Member of Director of International Federation Representing the Asian Gymnastics Continent Saif Edan Abu Adil, President of the Military Sport Federation Humaid Dahal Al-Enezi and President of the Sports National Guard Federation Saleh Jamaan Mohammad.
Athletes honoured included Fehaid Al-Dihani, who won two bronze medals for Kuwait in the Sydney 2000 Olympics trap shooting and 2012 London Olympics double trap shooting respectively, and owner of the Arabian horses stables Awad Mubarak Ali.
After that, His Highness the Crown Prince honored players from the Kuwaiti Sports Disabled Club, including former players.
Finally, His Highness the Crown Prince was presented with a token of appreciation marking his attendence of the occasion.
In his speech at the event, HH the Crown Prince conveyed greetings of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to the attendance, underlining HH's keenness to foster youth activities, which comes out of the political leadership's belief that the youth are "hope for the future and of the nation's pillars." HH Sheikh Nawaf also paid tribute to retired athletes, urging at the same time sportsmen and women to wield utmost efforts in order to have the name of the beloved homeland; Kuwait, be proudly present in all sport arenas under the leadership of HH the Amir.
In this regard, HH extended appreciation for efforts made by Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah and Director General of the Public Authority for Youth and Sport (PAYS) Faisal Al-Jazzaf.
On his part, Sheikh Salman said that Kuwait's most valuable wealth lies in the minds and souls of youth, terming them the "everlasting and most successful investment.
"Their vast potentials and energy are ought to be invested in as directed by HH the Amir and HH the Crown Prince in order to meet developmental ambitions and turn it into a tangible reality," the Minister noted, stressing baselines to be followed in this regard, which included the need for creativity, encouragement of the sense of belonging, the need for competition, the need to serve others, the importance of movement and activity, the urge to feel important and the desire to delve into new experiences.
PAYS Director Al-Jazzaf said that "sport is a basic element and principle of noble competition, as well as a major factor in achieving closeness among peoples.
"No sport without youth and no youth without sport. Out of this concept, Kuwait; leadership and people, truly believe in the significance of sport, and this is one of the main reasons this event is held.
"The clearest proof of such belief was what shooter Fehaid Al-Deihani accomplished in the 2012 London Olympics, snatching the bronze medal and crowning efforts of the Kuwaiti Shooting Federation and all other sport bodies.
" Al-Jazzaf went on to say that "PAYS is supervising some 22 sport-related projects, the most current is being in its finishing phase, including the Jaber Al-Ahmad Stadium, which will open next February.
"These projects and accomplishments would not have been realized if it wasn't for the support of HH the Amir, HH the Crown Prince and HH the Prime Minister, in addition to all state bodies." At the end of his speech, Al-Jazzaf urged athletes to unite and relinquish standoffs in manifestation to the esteemed desire of HH the Amir. (end) mb.hb KUNA 071620 Jan 13NNNN