Kuwaiti sports leaders decry arbitrary club registration cancellations

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KUWAIT CITY, Feb 18: Dr. Nasser Al-Waleed, the head of the Kuwaiti Modern Pentathlon Club, characterized the cancellation of registration for 43 specialized clubs in December by former Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Muhammad Al-Aiban, and the General Sports Authority as “bullying” and an attempt to exert control over Kuwaiti sports and the Kuwaiti Olympic Committee.

Al-Waleed urged the swift intervention of Prime Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah and Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Dawood Marafi, to overturn the arbitrary decision. He called for the establishment of a neutral committee to restore the clubs to their legal status and eliminate those that exist only on paper.

Speaking at a press conference titled “The Truth About Canceling Club Advertisement,” attended by 16 of the affected clubs, Al-Waleed criticized Youssef Al-Baidan, the director of the Sports Authority, accusing him of treating the authority like a club and making unilateral decisions, including canceling clubs and withholding budgets.

Al-Waleed emphasized that Al-Baidan, as a government official, should adhere to government direction and policy, calling for his removal due to what he perceives as a failure to serve the youth of Kuwait.He also challenged Al-Baidan’s claims of financial waste in the 43 clubs, pointing out the contradiction that five specialized clubs with a combined budget of 21 million dinars have not faced cancellation. Al-Waleed accused Al-Baidan of misleading the public and called for an impartial committee, even suggesting involvement from organizations like the FBI or CIA, to investigate the statements made by Al-Baidan.

The president of the Kuwaiti Pentathlon Club criticized the seventh floor of the General Sports Authority, describing it as a self-governing entity that makes decisions independently and disregards legal processes. He questioned why suspicious files have not been referred to the prosecution since Al-Baidan assumed office in June.

Dr. Falah Mahawish, the President of the Inspire Car Club, called for the restitution of the clubs, praising the decisions of Minister Daoud Marafi to allow grievances. Othman Al-Mutairi, Secretary of the Kuwait Cycling Club, highlighted the disregard for the fatwa and legislation that ruled against considering the advertising of clubs as non-existent.

Rashid Al-Kandari, president of the club and the Kuwaiti Triathlon Federation, criticized Al-Baidan for tarnishing the reputation of club directors without providing evidence or naming individuals. Al-Kandari warned that the unjust decision by Al-Baidan and former Minister Al-Aiban could lead to a halt in Kuwaiti sports and has raised concerns from international sports organizations.

Khaled El Anzi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

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