Al-Arabi veterans’ historic gathering: A pledge to restore Kuwaiti sports glory

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KUWAIT CITY, Nov 28: In a groundbreaking initiative, veteran players of Al-Arabi convened at Diwan Al-Jassim in the Al-Qadisiyah area, responding to the invitation extended by Engineer Adel Abdul Aziz Al-Jassim. An esteemed figure, Engineer Adel is not only a former player for Al-Arabi Club and the national team but has also served as a member of the Al-Arabi Board of Directors. In the days of yore, he stood out as one of the prominent strikers and held the position of internal director of the Olympic Committee.

Representatives from various generations, who had previously elevated the stature of Al-Arabi locally, within the Gulf region, across the Arab world, and even in the national football team, gathered at this unique gathering. Reflecting on the sportsmanship of bygone eras in comparison to the present, the attendees noted a significant shift. They observed that in the past, athletes demonstrated compassion, tolerance, and a spirit of close collaboration among players and administrators. Their primary focus was on enhancing Kuwait’s reputation, irrespective of personal names or interests. However, they expressed concern that these essential elements were currently lacking in contemporary sports, causing Kuwaiti sports to retract from global prominence to local and Gulf confines.

Among the former “Green” stars present, there was unanimous agreement that a return to the values and ethos of the past is imperative for sports. They pledged to work collectively towards reinstating the principles that had once propelled Kuwaiti sport to global recognition.

The meeting, attended by notable figures such as Engineer Adel Al-Jassim, Abdul Aziz Al-Amiri, Ali Najaf, Jawad Al-Maqseed, Ali Al-Mulla, Ali Faraj Al-Khudari, Dr. Khalifa Behbehani, Hussein Maqseed, Muhammad Karam, Badr Bu Abbas, Abdul Redha Abbas, Ahmed Askar, Anbar Saeed, Hamad Abdul Quddus, Majid Sultan, Amer Yasser, Ahmed Khalaf, the esteemed journalist Muhammad Al-Misnad, and sports critic Fathi Al-Sawah, delved into discussions about the championships each had secured with Al-Arabi or the national team.

Highlighting the impressive track record, it was noted that star goalkeeper Abdel-Rida Abbas held the record for the most championships won with Al-Arabi and the national team. The meeting concluded with a commitment to future gatherings where all aspects related to the club, as well as Kuwaiti sports in general, would be thoroughly discussed. The attendees then convened for a lunch graciously hosted by Engineer Adel Al-Jassim.

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