ShareKuwait is an independent state and we have a glorious history in sports for over 40 years. Sport is also a human right, so why are we deprived of participation in international sporting events? This may seem like a simple question, but unfortunately, the answer is very complex and incomprehensible to many of us. I am a Kuwaiti citizen and not a politician or a detective, so I do not want to know the details of the subject behind closed doors or who caused the suspension. I only care to see my fellow citizens exercising their sporting rights.
Participation means that no one can deny the will of a nation and a young generation that wishes to have sports representation at all levels and not being subjected to the choices of anyone. The 27th assembly of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which was held in the Bahraini capital Manama on Monday, rejected voting on the 8th article of the agenda for lifting the suspension of member associations, which includes Kuwait. It was bad news indeed for many Kuwaitis.
AFC Secretary-General Dato John said the eighth item was currently not open for voting and the lifting of Kuwait's suspension is expected to move to the International Federation Congress to consider the issue. In the same gathering, Indonesia was allowed to vote on the decisions of the Asian Congress at the request of the Philippines.
It was previously said Kuwait was suspended internationally because its sports laws are not amended to comply with the Olympic Charter and the rules of international sports federations, although Kuwait has committed to abide with international laws. Kuwait was first suspended in July 2012, but another suspension in 2015 was a severe shock to the people of Kuwait.
The government's intervention to support the lifting of the suspension from Kuwait in recent years and the massive efforts made by Sheikh Salman Al-Hmoud Al-Sabah, the former minister for youth affairs, unfortunately did not lead to the desired outcome for the Kuwaiti youth.
It is clear that the Kuwaiti government is aware of the importance of lifting the suspension on sport and its impact on the reputation of Kuwait, but this does not seem important to some people! The continuation of constructive dialogue with relevant government authorities in line with the principles and laws of the Olympic Movement is required and must be taken into consideration.
Kuwait was prevented from participating in the 2016 Rio Olympics, and a small number of Kuwaiti athletes participated as independent athletes under the Olympic flag. It was a harsh and painful sight for many Kuwaitis.
It is essential to mention that Kuwait had voted at the UN General Assembly last October to adopt a unanimous resolution on the independence of the sports movement and signed the UNESCO convention in Copenhagen in 2015, which provides for sports arbitration and anti-doping measures. Does this mean anything to those who deny Kuwait's request to lift the suspension? It should.
What is happening now - a continuing suspension - is harsh on the Kuwaiti youth and harms them. It must be lifted - even temporarily - to give the Kuwaiti government the opportunity to move in the right direction.
By Muna Al-Fuzai
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