Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdallah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah and Sheikh Salman Al-Sabah

KUWAIT: Information Minister, State Minister for Youth Affairs said Jaber Stadium will witness a major celebration that will contribute to restoring the "smile" to the sports community, following the suffering of Kuwaiti sports lately and suspension from sports by the IOC.

Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah asked the sports fans and the Kuwaitis to attend the event which will be held under the patronage of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud, who appeared on Al-Kass satellite channel said the stadium is ready for the celebration, and all problems it faced since 2012 has been solved.

He said the government undertook the plan to develop all that is related to youth, including sports which are considered the youths' way out.

He said the government selected a group of athletes who are known for being competent and experienced to prepare a plan to develop sports and overcome all hurdles, adding that the use of Jaber Stadium at this time will help implement this plan soon.

He said the government looks forward to launch several sporting facilities after the opening of Jaber Stadium to be a gigantic step on the road of bringing Kuwait sports back to where it was.

Al-Humoud lauded the role of all members of the organizing committee and their great efforts during a short period of time to organize a major celebration for this stadium which carries a dear name to all which is the name of late Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

About the suspension he said that the clubs unanimously confirmed that local laws do not have any suspicion of the government's interference, and asked Kuwait Football Association (KFA) to defend athletes' rights and the game, but the association did not do anything.

He said suspension of Kuwait sports by the IOC is not legal, and some of its officials are not neutral in dealing with the issue, adding that the levels we reached do not honor Kuwait sports nor its reputation or history.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdallah Al-Mubarak, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs said the organizing committee of Jaber Stadium celebration did not cooperate or coordinate with KFA to protect it against FIFA terror, which is still going after Kuwait sports.

Al-Abdallah said there are attempts to pressure some stars who are participating in this celebration by asking them not to come to Kuwait. He said that he felt the soccer players being pressured through direct contacts with some players.

Al-Abdallah found it strange, although the match is a friendly and may not be according to the basic rules of the game, so FIFA has no right to interfere in the celebration and threaten the stars of suspension.