Winners pose with officials.

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 4: In line with its unwavering commitment to supporting the youth and enhancing their effective role in society, National Bank of Kuwait announced organizing Bankee Football Tournament in collaboration with Abdullah Khalaf Al-Dehayyan Elementary School for the male learners at schools participating in the program to instill among them the values of fair competition, cooperation, and teamwork in a safe and fun sports environment.

The tournament saw the participation of 25 schools, with an average daily attendance of 200 learners, while the total attendance reached about 600 learners over the three days of the tournament, reflecting the great interest in this event that combines sports activities with financial education.

The top three winners received valuable prizes in the form of “Bankos” cheques. The first-place winner was Amro Ibn Al’As Elementary School, receiving 500 Bankos, while the second-place winner was Mohammed Al-Sharekh Elementary School, receiving 400 Bankos, and the third-place winner was Abdullah Khalaf Al-Dehayyan Elementary School, receiving 300 Bankos.

It should be noted that Bankos is the virtual currency used within the Bankee program. It serves as a means of exchange in various financial transactions and incentives, and it’s available as a physical store with designated spaces within schools, as well as a digital store that offers a wide range of products and services such as school supplies, toys, and stationery. Learners also receive this currency as rewards for their participation in educational activities and events organized by the program.

Resulting from a collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Anti-Corruption Authority “Nazaha”, Bankee is the first program of its kind in Kuwait offered by NBK to the community, to introduce male and female learners to basic economic concepts and practices such as earning, spending, saving, and financial obligations, through interactive activities that link theoretical education with practical application.

The program also aims to instill core values in the learners, such as honesty, integrity, personal development, responsibility, cooperation, and teamwork, and to nurture a generation of Kuwaiti youth who understand the importance of stability and financial independence and have the financial skills and knowledge necessary to achieve sustainable development and economic well-being for individuals and society.

A Real Impact

Since its launch, Bankee has witnessed rapid growth year after year, as it expanded to include more than 100 public and private schools in the different governorates of Kuwait, and more than 10,000 teachers who utilize the program’s tools and interactive activities to incorporate financial literacy into the educational process, The initiative has already made a tangible impact on more than 50,000 students, fostering saving habits and financial responsibility from an early age.

In this light, the “Bankee” Football Tournament is one of the events that supports the program’s goals, combining sports activity and financial education in a fun environment that encourages the learners to interact positively and compete with a friendly spirit.

On this occasion, Asmaa Bin Hussain, Public Relations Specialist at the National Bank of Kuwait, commented: “We are keen at NBK on achieving tangible impact through our social responsibility, which is why we focus on supporting the youth through educational and sports initiatives that contribute to building an aware generation capable of facing the challenges of the future”.

Bin Hussain also added: “This tournament is not simply a sporting event but an essential part of our approach to empowering the learners through activities that combine entertainment and financial education, thereby promoting positive values in them”.

Moreover, Bin Hussain continued: “Bankee represents a crucial step towards spreading financial literacy among new generations, and we are committed to continuously developing it to meet the needs of the learners and motivate them to adopt sound financial behaviors”.

Finally, Bin Hussain emphasized that supporting youth stems from a comprehensive vision of social responsibility by launching diverse initiatives that include education, sports, and health, thus enhancing the bank’s position as a key partner in community development.

It is worth noting that NBK has consistently implemented several youth initiatives, and it pays special attention to programs that combine education and personal development. This commitment contributes to enhancing the bank’s leading role in social responsibility and further confirms its dedication to building a more aware and solidaric society.