Fehaid Al-Deihani, an independent athlete from Kuwait competing on the Refugee Olympic Team, celebrates his victory at the end of the men’s Double Trap gold medal match at Olympic Shooting Center at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Wednesday, Aug 10, 2016. — AP Photos

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah yesterday sent a cable, congratulating the 49-year-old Kuwaiti shooter Fehaid Al-Deihani who won a Gold Medal in the men's Double Trap competition at the Rio Olympics. Al-Deihani was a member of the Independent Olympic Athletes (IOA) team, winning them the first ever gold medal since the establishment of the team in 1992. His Highness the Amir stated that this was a huge accomplishment for Al-Deihani, proving the abilities of Kuwaiti athletes to compete and to win medals in the Olympics.

High Highness the Amir wished Al-Deihani all the best in future competitions where he will proudly represent the Kuwaiti flag. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and High Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah also sent cables congratulating Al-Deihani for his outstanding achievement.

Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah said that the gold medal demonstrates competent capabilities of the Kuwaiti youth to challenge hardships facing Kuwaiti sports. Al-Deihani won the gold medal in the men's Double Trap competition in Rio de Janero on Wednesday - defeating Italy's Marco Innocenti in the final match. "This is an unprecedented historical achievement" for Kuwait, as the first gold medal for Arabs in Rio '16, Minister Sheikh Salman said.

This prompts exerting all efforts to support, and promote Kuwaiti sports on all levels, looking ahead to the future, while standing on a solid national ground with full confidence to conquer the impossibility, the minister added. In spite of the challenges imposed on the Kuwaiti sports, including suspension from international competitions, Kuwait's youth would not surrender and insisted to take part (in Rio'16) under the Olympic flag to prove to the entire world that they are able to represent their country and promote its status, Sheikh Salman said.

The minister stressed pride by Kuwait's leadership, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, of the Kuwaiti youth and their capabilities of holding the "flag of national responsibility" for the country's progress in all fields. Sheikh Salman congratulated His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Prime Minister, and the Kuwaiti people on the victory, highly appreciating Al-Deihani's efforts and triumph.

Al-Deihani praised

Meanwhile, the Deputy Director General of the Public Authority for Sport Dr Hamoud Al-Shemmari said in a statement published in a local newspaper that Kuwait Olympic champion Fahid Deihani will get a monthly salary of KD 5,000 for a period of 4 years. Also the Director General of the Public Authority for Sport (PAS) Sheikh Ahmad Mansour Al-Sabah has lauded the Kuwaiti shooter Fehaid Al-Deihani for winning the gold medal in Rio de Janeiro.

PAS Director General, in a statement yesterday congratulated His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the political leadership and the people of Kuwait on the unprecedented victory. He expressed hope Al-Deihani's accomplishment would pave the way for further sports achievements, in addition to reforming and revamping the sector. Sheikh Ahmad Mansour wished identical success for the other Kuwaiti champions taking part in the international tournament, however, he expressed distress that the Kuwait flag is not being raised during the games. - Agencies