Mubarak Faisal Nawaf AlAhmed AlSabah

KOC has marked numerous achievements in recent years, including implementing anti-doping measures, comprehensive health insurance for athletes, attracting more sponsorships, and integrating women’s sports.

As KOC marks its 65th anniversary, can you provide an overview of the committee’s operations and main activities?

KOC is the central body that manages the international representation of all sports federations in Kuwait, adhering to the principles set out in the Olympic Charter. Our guiding body at the global level is the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Looking ahead, we are preparing for significant events including the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, and the Islamic Solidarity Games. In addition to these major events, KOC plays a pivotal role in offering extensive support to athletes from over 31 federations and clubs across Kuwait. This includes preparation for various national and international tournaments. Our operations encompass regular communication with international sports federations, ensuring that Kuwaiti athletes are well-informed and prepared for participation in major international competitions, which occur annually or quadrennially. Our activities and initiatives are supported by the Public Authority of Sports in Kuwait, which falls under the auspices of the Minister of Youth. This support extends to establishing federations dedicated to providing Kuwaiti athletes with the necessary resources and backing during major international tournaments.

How many Kuwaiti athletes, on average, qualify for the Olympics?

At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Shooting Federation was honored with a bronze medal. Our delegation included federations from swimming, athletics, cycling, fencing, and karate, totaling seven athletes. For the forthcoming Olympics, we have successfully qualified two shooters. Additionally, there are 12 athletes across aquatics, fencing, rowing, and sailing who stand a chance to qualify for the Olympics. Our preparations also encompass swimming and weightlifting disciplines. Typically, our training regimen commences six months before the Olympics. During this period, we prioritize the health of our athletes through regular medical check-ups and provide them with tailored nutrition plans. These measures are part of a comprehensive strategy to ensure they are in peak condition for the competition. We also focus on optimizing their daily routines to enhance sleep quality and overall readiness for the demanding challenges ahead.

What achievements and challenges has the committee encountered?

One of our main achievements was implementing an anti-doping authority program and providing annual health checkups. We signed a contract with Gulf Insurance Group, providing health insurance for 184 athletes. We also created a marketing plan mainly based on attracting sponsors such as Burgan Bank and GIG. KOC has also integrated women’s sports at all levels, improving it and supporting the Sports Federation in establishing women’s national teams. We have also signed a cooperation protocol with 11 National Olympic committees, such as Qatar, the US, and Spain. We have signed a protocol to exchange technical expertise and training camps to prepare Kuwaiti athletes to participate in continental and international championships. KOC has also hosted major sports events like the third GCC Olympic Games 2022. Some of our challenges have included a lack of cooperation with different government sectors as well as financial and regulation issues. In the coming years, we will work on those pillars with government bodies such as the Public Authority for Sport to increase investment in sports and athletes.

Can you elaborate on your women’s sport leadership program in partnership with the Safeguarding Alliance and the British Embassy?

The Women’s Sport Committee is under the board of KOC and is overseeing the Women in Sport Leadership program with the Safeguarding Alliance and the British Embassy. The board successfully workshops in its Jaber Al Ahmad City headquarters that saw over 50 athletes and coaches, both men and women, from the sports community. Through this partnership, KOC aims to develop women’s sports leaders with the skills and expertise needed to better serve our female athletes and further develop women’s sports in Kuwait. One of the Women’s Sports Committee’s strategic goals is to provide women with opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills, and this partnership plays a major role in helping us achieve that.