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Football academies shaping future stars, instilling core values

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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

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Kuwait Commerce Min.: Protecting industrial system is Nat’l responsibility

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 KUWAIT: Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Chairman of the Public Authority for Industry (PAI) Khalifa Al-Ajeel said on Monday that protecting the commercial and industrial system is a “national responsibility that requires concerted efforts.”

Minister Al-Ajeel emphasized in a statement to KUNA following an extensive inspection campaign in the south Amghara scrap yard, to “firmly deal with all violations and encroachments in accordance with legal frameworks where no one is above the law.”

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Al-Ajeel confirmed the continuation of inspection campaigns as well until the desired goals are reached, foremost being is restoring order and discipline to the area and removing all violations and encroachments.

He affirmed the ministry and the PAI’s commitment to cooperating with relevant authorities to continue these campaigns to ensure a safe and organized industrial and commercial environment.

The campaign resulted in the seizure of several violations and closure of several non-compliant units in preparation for taking necessary legal action against their exploiters.

Participating in the campaign was General Fire Force (KFF) Chief Major General Talal Al-Roumi, along with several executive leaders from the PAI. — KUNA

 

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Human Rights Committee session begins with focus on Gaza, regional challenges

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CAIRO: The 56th regular session of the Arab Permanent Committee for Human Rights commenced on Monday with the participation of Kuwait and representatives from Arab states concerned with human rights affairs. In his opening address, Ahmed Maghari, supervisor of the Human Rights Department at the League of Arab States, underscored the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling it a stark indicator of the region’s human rights reality. “We cannot speak of the state of human rights without acknowledging the catastrophic conditions faced by our brothers in Gaza, where securing the most basic necessities has become a matter of survival,” he said. Maghari described the ongoing Zionist aggression in Gaza as a profound moral and humanitarian challenge, noting that the Palestinian people continue to endure daily suffering under constant bombardment, displacement and destruction. He lamented the international community’s continued inaction in the face of clear violations of international law and human rights norms. “The occupying power persists in defying international legitimacy and the decisions of the General Assembly, the Security Council, and the International Court of Justice,” he said.

Held at a time of mounting regional tensions, the session comes amid escalating challenges that directly affect fundamental human rights. Maghari highlighted the Committee’s historic role since its establishment in 1968 in developing the Arab human rights framework both legally and practically, while also fostering cooperation with regional and international partners. He expressed hope that the session would yield effective recommendations to help confront the pressing challenges in the region. He pointed to the rise of conflicts and violence globally, along with the resulting serious human rights violations, as major concerns.

Emerging issues such as the intersection of human rights with climate change, artificial intelligence, and the spread of alien ideologies that undermine human dignity were also noted. “In light of these challenges, we must reinforce our solidarity and collective action to enhance peace, stability, and the security of our societies,” Maghari added. The two-day session, chaired by Ambassador Talal Al-Mutairi, Chairman of the Arab Permanent Committee for Human Rights, will review the General Secretariat’s report on the implementation of previous recommendations up to the 55th session.

Discussions will also focus on Zionist violations in occupied Arab territories, the plight of Arab prisoners and detainees in Zionist prisons, and the issue of the bodies of Palestinian and Arab martyrs held in so-called “numbered cemeteries.” Other agenda items include the Arab Charter on Human Rights and preparations for Arab Human Rights Day, which will be observed on March 16, 2026. Kuwait is represented at the meeting by a delegation led by Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Affairs Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah.— KUNA

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Crown Prince receives Egyptian Deputy PM

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KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received on Tuesday at Bayan Palace the Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Transport and Industry, Lieutenant General Kamel Abdulhadi Al-Wazir, and his accompanying delegation on the occasion of their official visit to the country. The meeting was attended by Kuwait’s Minister of Public Works Dr Noura Al-Mashaan and Egypt’s Ambassador to Kuwait Osama Shaltout.– KUNA photos

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