A file photo of Kuwait Club players celebrating.

KUWAIT CITY, March 1: The Asian Football Confederation has officially postponed the quarterfinal first-leg clash of the AFC Challenge League between Kuwait SC and Al-Shabab, which was scheduled to take place on Wednesday in Muscat.

Similarly, the Gulf Cup Football Federation has delayed the Gulf Champions League semifinal encounter between Al-Qadsia and Al-Rayyan, originally set for the same day.

The postponements follow a formal request from Kuwait Football Association President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef to AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, urging the suspension of matches across the region due to the prevailing circumstances, in order to safeguard players, coaching staff, administrators, and medical teams.

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef cited the nationwide suspension of sports activities in Kuwait, along with the recall of players and staff by government ministries and public institutions to fulfill national duties. He also pointed to the temporary closure of airspace in Kuwait and several Gulf countries, which has complicated travel arrangements.

He stressed that the Kuwait Club would be unable to travel to Oman for its fixture against Al-Shabab, while Al-Qadsia has been unable to continue training due to the halt in domestic sports activities. In addition, Al-Rayyan cannot travel to Kuwait because of airspace restrictions.

Earlier, Minister of State for Youth and Sports Affairs Dr. Tareq Al-Jalahma announced the suspension of all sports competitions and events in Kuwait in light of the current regional situation, emphasizing that the move aims to protect the safety of athletes, fans, and all members of the sports sector.

Al-Jalahma explained that the decision forms part of precautionary measures adopted by the state to preserve public security and safety. The suspension applies to all official competitions, tournaments, and sporting events across various disciplines until further notice.

He affirmed that authorities are closely monitoring developments and will provide updates regarding the resumption of activities in coordination with the relevant bodies. The minister also called on all federations and clubs to fully adhere to the directive, underscoring that safety remains the highest priority.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff