KUWAIT: Zain held its annual ceremony to honor the top high school graduates for the 2024–2025 academic year at its headquarters in Shuwaikh, with the attendance of company executives, Ministry of Education officials, and the honorees’ parents and family members. The event was attended by Waleed Al-Khashti, Chief Corporate Affairs and Relations Officer at Zain Kuwait, and Maryam Al-Enezi, Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Development and Activities at the Ministry of Education. Together, they honored the top Kuwaiti students across various academic tracks, including science, literature, religious education, and special education, as part of Zain’s annual initiative to celebrate academic excellence and spotlight Kuwait’s emerging talents.

Honoring one of the top students.

Celebrating a high-achieving student.

Zain annually highlights academic excellence.

In his speech at the event, Al-Khashti stated: “At Zain, we are always proud to renew this annual gathering, which remains one of the initiatives closest to our hearts. Today, we celebrate a distinguished group of young Kuwaitis whose achievements bring pride to themselves and to the nation.” He added: “We meet today at a time when we are witnessing the results of continuous efforts to advance the educational system in our nation. This year’s exceptional performance reflects a growing awareness among students, strong family support, dedicated educators, and an academic environment that continues to progress.”

He continued: “At Zain, we believe that our role as a national institution goes beyond technological innovation. It includes contributing to a brighter future for Kuwait by empowering young talent and celebrating excellence wherever it is found.” Al-Khashti emphasized: “We do not view education as a phase that simply ends with a diploma, but as a lifelong journey of transformation. That’s why we place great importance on supporting students, nurturing top achievers, and enabling a new generation that believes in the value of knowledge and the power of determination.”

He also expressed his appreciation to the honorees’ parents, describing them as the first and most important partner in this achievement, and praised their sacrifices and continued support. Addressing the students, he said: “Do not be afraid to try. Use your passion to create real impact in your communities. Kuwait deserves the best from you, always.” This ceremony is part of Zain’s corporate sustainability and social responsibility strategy, which places education at the forefront of its priorities. The company remains committed to collaborating with the Ministry of Education and various academic institutions to support national efforts aimed at enabling the next generation to lead Kuwait’s transformation and development journey.

KUWAIT: Director of the Health, Safety and Environment Department at Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) Nasser Al-Buhairi emphasized the importance of bolstering security preparedness across the oil and gas sector to safeguard the stability and sustainability of this strategic industry. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a high-level Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) workshop on oil and gas infrastructure protection and crisis management, Al-Buhairi stressed that the region’s energy sector must remain fully equipped to confront both existing and emerging risks.

The three-day workshop, held at the Ahmad Al-Jaber Oil and Gas Exhibition Center in Ahmadi, is jointly organized by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), Kuwait Oil Company, and the GCC Emergency Management Center. Al-Buhairi noted that Gulf oil companies are working to boost operational readiness and develop their technical and human resources to face a broad spectrum of threats. He said the workshop primarily focuses on securing oil facilities and promoting collective preparedness among GCC member states. “Through the exchange of expertise and evaluation of plans, we aim to elevate the region’s response capabilities,” he stated.

He added that the initiative highlights the vital role of the oil and gas industry in the region and the evolving challenges it faces in today’s geopolitical climate. The workshop, he explained, is expected to yield key recommendations that will support the development of scientific and operational expertise while reinforcing global energy market stability through secure energy supply systems.

Al-Buhairi also underscored the strategic importance of the GCC Emergency Management Center, describing it as a pillar of the regional security framework. “The center plays a crucial role in harmonizing efforts and transferring expertise in the face of potential threats,” he said. He reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to enhancing energy sector resilience, noting that KOC benefits from a highly skilled national workforce. “The advancement of this sector is driven by identifying development needs, implementing robust plans and sharing knowledge with qualified national cadres,” he said.

The workshop, which opened Tuesday, brought together regional and international experts to strengthen crisis management capabilities and safeguard energy infrastructure. In a recorded address, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi affirmed the Gulf region’s central role in ensuring global energy security, describing the region’s energy supplies as a cornerstone of the global economy.

Director of the Health, Safety and Environment Department at Kuwait Oil Company, Nasser Al-Buhairi.

Al-Budaiwi said GCC countries are facing three core challenges: keeping pace with the global energy transition, meeting growing domestic demand and preserving the stability of international energy markets. He stressed that protecting energy assets is essential to global economic health and outlined a security vision based on regional and international partnerships, maritime security and uninterrupted energy supply.

He warned of increasing threats posed by non-state actors using drones, ballistic missiles, and other technologies to target critical energy infrastructure, calling for intensified cooperation to curb such threats and ensure compliance with international arms control resolutions. Highlighting the region’s geopolitical significance, Al-Budaiwi noted that instability in the Middle East could impact key maritime routes — including the Strait of Hormuz, Bab Al-Mandab, and the Suez Canal — disrupting global energy and trade flows.

In a separate recorded message, UN Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism Vladimir Voronkov stressed the growing urgency of protecting energy infrastructure, warning that a single terrorist attack could trigger widespread disruption across healthcare, transportation, and food supply systems. He pointed to UN Security Council Resolution 2341, which calls for the criminalization of attacks on critical infrastructure, as well as the recently developed UN Technical Guide for Protecting Critical Energy Infrastructure, produced with support from Russia and Turkmenistan.

UN Resident Coordinator in Kuwait Ghada Al-Taher described the workshop as a valuable platform to share best practices and strengthen operational frameworks. She commended Gulf countries for their leadership in energy security, while urging greater cooperation to tackle growing threats to energy networks that jeopardize environmental, human, and economic security. Chairman of the GCC Emergency Management Center Dr. Rashid Al-Marri highlighted the center’s role in fostering regional coordination and preparedness, noting the development of a comprehensive emergency plan addressing 13 categories of risk. He emphasized the value of global partnerships, especially with the UNOCT, in enhancing capacity building and training efforts.

KOC Deputy CEO for Commercial and Shared Services Musaed Al-Rasheed outlined the increasingly complex landscape of threats to the oil industry, citing geopolitical tensions, cyberattacks, and market volatility as key risks. He stressed the Gulf’s vital contribution to global energy, citing 2023 figures that showed GCC countries produced 17 million barrels of crude oil per day — more than 23 percent of global output — and hold over 511 billion barrels in reserves, accounting for nearly one-third of the world’s total. Al-Rasheed concluded by reaffirming the region’s commitment to safeguarding energy infrastructure and ensuring reliable energy supplies through robust preparedness and strategic regional cooperation. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Football academies across Kuwait have grown into year-round hubs for athletic and personal development, offering children and youth valuable opportunities to enhance both physical fitness and life skills. These academies, catering to children as young as four, go beyond sharpening athletic abilities by promoting discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship, resilience and self-confidence. With limited vacancies in official sports clubs, a growing number of aspiring players are turning to academies as a practical alternative for professional-level training. Although comparable in quality, academy training typically operates up to three days a week and enrollment costs are borne by families.

Speaking to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), academy owner Mohammad Saleh said he established his licensed football academy in 2019 after fulfilling all regulatory requirements. He voiced concern over the rise of unlicensed academies, which often attract families with lower fees but offer minimal training value and lack adherence to proper sporting standards. Saleh highlighted the success of his academy, noting that several graduates have gone on to join Kuwait’s national youth team. “Qualified coaching staff are the backbone of any academy,” he said, emphasizing the importance of hiring certified professionals with a strong grasp of both technical and ethical aspects of football.

Among the key challenges academies face, Saleh cited the shortage of suitable training grounds, with demand consistently exceeding availability. He also underscored the importance of player safety, calling on all academies to be equipped with first aid kits and emergency response plans. To counter Kuwait’s extreme summer heat, Saleh noted that training sessions are held after sunset, making the environment safer and more comfortable. He added that summer months witness higher enrollments as club activities pause and parents seek meaningful outlets for their children.

In a separate statement, coach Yousef Khajah stressed the importance of early football education, stating that young ages are ideal for developing core skills. “Specialized coaches can guide youth more effectively,” he said, adding that the academy often invites prominent Kuwaiti footballers to inspire young players. Khajah said the academy’s goal extends beyond skill development to include fostering teamwork, mutual respect, and discipline — elements often missing in the digital age. “Sports offer far more benefits than hours spent on electronic games, which can lead to fatigue and poor focus,” he noted.

For academy player Saleh Mohammad, the training has paid off. A member since 2019 and now a key player in Kuwait’s national youth team, he credited the academy for nurturing his talent and supporting his mental well-being. “Summer training keeps me fit during the off-season and helps me return to my club and national duties in top form,” he said, encouraging his peers to make productive use of their free time through sports. Meanwhile, academy owner Abdullah Abdulhassan shared that his academy recruits professional coaches, particularly from Spain, known for their advanced training methods and tactical expertise. “We welcome players from the age of four and have no upper age limit, ensuring everyone can benefit from physical activity,” he said.

Abdulhassan described the work as fulfilling, especially when trainees progress to professional clubs or national teams. “Academies build confidence, cultivate friendships, and shape well-rounded individuals — not just footballers,” he added. While acknowledging the financial strain on some families, especially those enrolling multiple children, he stressed that the long-term benefits in health, discipline and character development outweigh the costs. He called for greater investment in academies to support the emergence of a promising generation for Kuwaiti football. With club activities suspended during summer, families increasingly rely on academies to keep their children active. Some academies rent indoor venues, while others adapt by scheduling evening sessions.

Echoing similar sentiments, academy owner Abdulrahman Omar told KUNA that his primary goal is to nurture emerging talent and provide structured training to youth who may lack access to sports activities. He said training sessions typically begin around 7:30 pm and are divided into recreational warmups and football-specific drills. “Modern academies are now emulating clubs by participating in local mini-leagues, organizing matches and even holding training camps abroad,” Omar said, noting these experiences help players gain confidence and exposure to competitive environments. —

However, he pointed to ongoing challenges, particularly the scarcity of training facilities and a lack of financial support. “Despite participation from nearly 20 academies in local tournaments, the absence of sponsorship means costs are rarely recovered,” he said. As football academies continue to fill the gap left by limited club access, their growing role in developing Kuwait’s next generation of footballers—and responsible citizens—cannot be overstated. — KUNA