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

SEVILLE: The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD) signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Tuesday aimed at enhancing cooperation and accelerating the implementation of sustainable infrastructure projects in jointly prioritized regions. The agreement was signed by AFESD Director General and Chairman Bader Al-Saad and AIIB President Jin Liqun on the sidelines of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, currently underway in Seville, southern Spain.

In a statement, Al-Saad said the strategic partnership aligns with the Fund’s mission of supporting sustainable development in Arab countries in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “This collaboration will bolster our resources and strengthen our role in financing infrastructure, contributing to a more prosperous and sustainable future for the region,” he noted. He emphasized that the partnership underscores both institutions’ commitment to deepening regional cooperation and adopting innovative, demand-driven approaches to infrastructure financing.

AIIB President Jin Liqun described the partnership with the Arab Fund as “a significant milestone in our shared commitment to sustainable development.” He added: “By leveraging AIIB’s global infrastructure expertise and the Arab Fund’s deep regional knowledge, we can jointly implement impactful projects that tackle pressing issues such as climate change and regional interconnectivity.”

Jin noted that both institutions will collaborate to mobilize additional resources and promote innovation in infrastructure financing. He explained that the MoU lays out a comprehensive framework for cooperation, including joint project preparation and co-financing for both sovereign and non-sovereign sectors. Strategic priorities covered under the agreement include enhancing climate resilience, cross-border connectivity, digital infrastructure and sustainable urban development.

Founded in 2016, the Beijing-based AIIB is a multilateral development bank with a capital base of $100 billion and 110 approved members. It focuses on infrastructure financing that fosters a sustainable and inclusive global future. Established in 1972 and headquartered in Kuwait, the Arab Fund is a regional financial institution dedicated to supporting economic and social development in the Arab world.

The Fund finances projects in infrastructure, health, education, water, and public services through a range of instruments, including loans, grants and technical assistance. The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, hosted by Spain, kicked off Monday and runs through Thursday. The conference aims to advance solutions to global development financing challenges and develop a new framework for achieving the SDGs. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait is leading efforts to turn the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) into a full-fledged international organization, according to Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs, Ambassador Samih Hayat. The proposal, first introduced by Kuwait, was recently discussed at the ACD summit in Doha and received broad support from participating countries. Kuwait is now working closely with brotherly and friendly nations to advance this initiative and formalize the dialogue’s structure and role.

Ambassador Hayat made the announcement on the sideline of the 23rd anniversary celebration of the ACD, adding: “As our cooperation with the Asia Cooperation Dialogue began in 2002, today, we celebrate 23 years of a platform that has united Asia’s diverse cultures and regions through dialogue, mutual understanding, and shared development.”

He mentioned that transforming the Dialogue into a formal organization would grant it greater international weight—particularly as it includes member states both from within and outside Asia—enhancing its diversity and expanding its global influence. Ambassador Nasser Al-Mutairi, Secretary-General of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) forum, stated that the proposal to transform the ACD from a dialogue platform into a formal international organization will be one of the central topics discussed during the upcoming ACD foreign ministers’ meeting, scheduled for August in Bangkok, Thailand.

Al-Mutairi noted that Kuwait has submitted a comprehensive working paper outlining its vision for this transformation. The proposal includes securing a stable and sustainable budget, boosting engagement from member states, and strengthening coordination with other regional organizations to avoid duplication and enhance complementarity. One of the key suggestions is also the creation of a dedicated think tank to explore mechanisms for institutional cooperation, especially considering the presence of similar organizations across Asia.

Among other key agenda items is the discussion of the upcoming presidency, as Thailand’s term comes to an end in December. A coordination meeting among the secretaries-general of these organizations is expected soon to align efforts. He also highlighted Kuwait’s long-standing support for the ACD, noting that it currently bears the financial costs of the Forum’s Secretariat, with some additional contributions from other member states. Kuwait has played a foundational role in the evolution of the ACD, having hosted the first ACD summit and initiated the creation of the Secretariat—just as it now advances the proposal to formalize the Dialogue as a fully-fledged organization.