KUWAIT: Kuwait International Bank (KIB) announced that the team of showjumping champions it sponsors, and who compete under the Bank's name, recently departed for a training camp in The Netherlands in preparation for the upcoming equestrian season. The KIB showjumping team, which features jockeys Ghazi Al-Juraei, Ahmad Al-Mudaheka, Abdullah Hamadah and Ahmad Al-Ansari, is set to take part in several international competitions across Europe in the upcoming few months.

"Our sponsorship of these talented athletes comes as part of our mission to offer support and encouragement to the youth of Kuwait, especially in the field of sports," said Nawaf Najia, Manager of the Corporate Communications Unit at KIB. "In supporting these young talents, we hope to boost the local sports culture and help this generation of rising sports stars make a name for themselves on the regional, and even international, sports scene. The KIB showjumping team's slew of accolades in various local and international competitions is the best testament to what our young athletes can achieve, and at KIB we are proud to be a part of their journey."

Najia continued by praising the strong performance delivered by the different members of the showjumping team. He stressed that their unwavering commitment to continuous training has been a clear factor which has led to the team's remarkable progress. He added: "By continuing to succeed and excel on multiple levels, the showjumping team has managed to pave the road for many aspiring jockeys, and these young champions continue to inspire an entire generation of upcoming equestrian talents. We wish these young equestrians the very best of luck and we hope to see even greater successes in the upcoming season, both regionally and internationally."

On his part, Ghazi Al-Juraei, one of the team's jockeys and a member of the Board of Directors of the Hunting and Equestrian Club, expressed his delight for participating with his teammates in this intensive training camp. He also lauded the financial and moral support offered by KIB, represented by the Bank's Chairman, Sheikh Mohammad Jarrah Al Sabah, as the Bank seeks to nurture this noble sport, with it long, rich history dating back several generations. Al-Juraei further noted that in preparation for next season's tournaments, the showjumping team has purchased new horses from the Netherlands for more enhanced training.

Meanwhile, Abdullah Hamadah noted that today, showjumping has reached impressive levels in Kuwait, managing to overcome many challenges and barriers along the way. As a result of this notable progress, the sport is expected to witness significant developments during the next season, as many equestrians from across sports clubs in Kuwait continue to prepare and train for the challenges that lie ahead.