KUWAIT: The National Campaign for Combating Cancer (CAN) on Saturday announced the launch of the 2025 Summer Haido-CAN Olympics, in collaboration with the Public Authority for Sport, under the slogan “Sports is Prevention.” In a press statement, CAN Chairman Dr Khaled Al-Saleh said the month-and-a-half-long sporting event features a series of tournaments, competitions, and physical activities tailored for various age groups. The initiative aligns with CAN’s vision of promoting a culture of fitness and public health, with the participation of 16 teams and over 120 athletes.

Dr Al-Saleh highlighted the critical role of physical activity in disease prevention, noting that an improved lifestyle and regular exercise can significantly enhance immunity and reduce risk factors associated with approximately 30 percent of cancer cases. “Sports play a vital role in lowering the risk of numerous cancer types,” he said.

Meanwhile, Director of the Haido-CAN Academy Abdullah Khaled expressed hope that the Olympics would serve as a leading platform to promote sports and wellness among youth and the wider community. “Sports are more than just competition—they are a way of life that supports both mental and physical health,” he said. Khaled noted that the event is organized through a strategic partnership between CAN and Haido-CAN Academy, in cooperation with the Public Authority for Sports. The initiative aims to reinforce the link between physical activity and the prevention of chronic illnesses, particularly cancer.

He added that the program will feature a wide range of competitions, including football, volleyball, Cine Gym challenges, bowling, athletics, tug of war, and an American penalty kick tournament. Additionally, a series of awareness workshops and community health initiatives will be held to further engage participants and raise public awareness. The Olympics officially kicked off with a padel championship, which witnessed spirited competition and high levels of sportsmanship among the participating teams.— KUNA

KUWAIT: Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi underscored the importance of advancing theatrical work in Kuwait during a coordination meeting with representatives of theatrical production companies, civil theater associations, and cultural institutions. The meeting, held at the Government Communication Center, focused on strengthening partnerships to enhance the role of theater in Kuwait’s cultural landscape.

At the outset, Minister Al-Mutairi affirmed the unwavering support that the culture sector receives from the political leadership, noting the rich history of Kuwaiti theater, which this year marks more than a century since its inception. He paid tribute to the pioneers of Kuwaiti theater whose efforts elevated it into a distinguished Arab and international platform, stressing the role of the younger generation in continuing this legacy. “Theater today is not only a cultural expression but a key driver of development, contributing to the economy, boosting tourism, and evolving into a professional industry,” the minister said.

KUWAIT: Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi and Acting Assistant Secretary-General for the Arts Sector are pictured during the event. – KUNA photos

Al-Mutairi called for closer cooperation among the public and private sectors, as well as civil society organizations, to enhance the effectiveness and influence of theatrical productions. He emphasized that the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) plays a central role in supporting, sponsoring, and organizing the cultural scene, noting, “We operate from a national participatory strategy that values theater, and we welcome all visions and proposals for a brighter future.” He also stressed the significance of public engagement and constructive criticism in evaluating the success of performances, highlighting the importance of content that aligns with religious and social values, while also addressing development-related themes that speak to the nation’s future.

As part of efforts to modernize and expand theater infrastructure, Minister Al-Mutairi revealed that the Council has launched a study to offer several theaters — including Kaifan, Al-Shamiya, Salmiya, and Mishref — for public auction, following the recent auctioning of Dasma Theater for sustainable operation. He further announced coordination with the Ministry of Education to allocate one theater in each governorate from select school venues, with the aim of fostering theatrical activity across all regions of the country.

“Kuwaiti theater stands at a historic crossroads,” Al-Mutairi said, “with a genuine opportunity to usher in a new era of excellence, backed by the leadership’s continuous support and the collaborative efforts of all cultural stakeholders.” The meeting also featured remarks and feedback from attendees, in the presence of NCCAL Secretary-General Dr Mohammed Al-Jassar and Acting Assistant Secretary-General for the Arts Sector Aisha Al-Mahmoud. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwaiti security men busted an attempt to smuggle a large drugs haul with a street value estimated at KD 1.5 million, with the cooperation of the United Arab Emirates’ interior ministry, a statement announced on Thursday. The haul consisted of 10 kg of heroin and 100 kg of shabu, an illegal chemical substance, and was destined for an Afghan man who was arrested, the interior ministry said.

Through security cooperation with the UAE, the Kuwaiti authorities received information of the shipment that was due to arrive at Shuwaikh Port and belonged to an organized international network. The container was allowed to leave the port by customs men and the receiver, an Afghan man, was arrested at Amghara industrial area, west of Kuwait City.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah thanked the UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and Emirati officials for the cooperation that led to the huge bust, stressing the importance of continued security coordination. The minister reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to countering the drug threat and safeguarding national security through local and international partnerships.

Separately, the interior ministry announced on Thursday the arrest of an employee working at the Public Authority for Civil Information on charges of forging official documents and accepting bribes. The ministry said the bust followed information and coordination with officials from the civil information authority, revealing the suspect had exploited his job authority to access the electronic system and change residents’ addresses without their presence or submission of official documents, in violation of established regulations.

Investigations revealed that the suspect had added fake addresses in exchange for payments of up to KD 120 per transaction, abusing his position for illicit gain. He was found to have processed over 5,000 transactions since the beginning of this year in collaboration with a number of middlemen inside and outside Kuwait.

Two middlemen were arrested, along with seven individuals who had paid money to complete their transactions. The suspect was found to have used the illicit proceeds to purchase jewelry, gold bars and luxury items in an attempt to conceal the source of the funds. The suspects and the seized items were referred to the public prosecution for legal action.

Meanwhile, the interior ministry said on Thursday that the Supreme Commission for Nationality has decided to revoke the citizenship of an unspecified number of people for a variety of reasons. The ministry said in a statement that the citizenships were revoked because holders held citizenship of a third country, banned under Kuwaiti law, while others held citizenships that were obtained through false information and forgery.

Some other citizenships were revoked for the sake of the country’s national interests and others because holders violated their loyalty to the country. The ministry gave no details about the numbers. The commission has in the past 15 months stripped over 37,000 people of their Kuwaiti citizenship, about 29,000 of them were foreign women who became Kuwaitis after getting married to Kuwaiti men.