KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah honors Olympic medalists Fehaid Al-Deehani (left) and Abdullah Al-Rashidi (right) at Bayan Palace yesterday. — KUNA

KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace yesterday shooters Fehaid Al-Deehani and Abdullah Al-Rashidi, who won gold and bronze medals respectively at the Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympic Games.

The meeting, which saw HH the Amir also receiving a number of other athletes who took part in the Games, was held in the presence of HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud Al-Sabah and Director General of the Public Authority for Youth (PAY) Sheikh Ahmad Mansour Al-Sabah.

The Amir lauded the achievements of Deehani and Rashidi and called on all Kuwaiti athletes to follow the examples set by them, affirming that the two sportsmen made Kuwait as well as Arab and Muslim nations proud. HH Sheikh Sabah honored Rashidi with a medal in recognition of his achievement. Deehani previously received a similar honor. The Amir also gifted Deehani KD 100,000 and a plot of residential land, while Rashidi received KD 50,000 and a plot of industrial land.

In statements to KUNA, Deehani and Rashidi said they are honored to have been feted by HH the Amir, adding they dedicate their sporting accolades to the Kuwaiti leadership. Moreover, Deehani, who emerged victorious in the men's double trap event in Rio, said that he is "honored to have amassed three Olympic medals for Kuwait". He previously won bronze medals at the 2000 and 2012 Olympics. Meanwhile, Rashidi, who won bronze in the men's skeet competition in Rio, echoed his compatriot's sentiments, thanking the Amir for his support of the nation's athletes. Chairman of the Kuwait Shooting Club Duaij Al-Otaibi noted that athletes have grown accustomed to being honored by the country's leadership for any sporting feat they achieve. - KUNA