Years ago, we endured deprivation and war, but this time, the battleground was international sports arenas and stadiums. FIFA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) imposed decisions banning us from participating in all matches and competitions, both locally and internationally.
These rulings were not only a sporting blow but also a political insult to Kuwait’s reputation. It was a long, difficult, and shameful period for us.
The root of this crisis was some of our own people, who, fearing that the sports laws proposed by the National Assembly would threaten their positions and interests, chose to incite international organizations against their own country and government.
They claimed, rightly or wrongly, that these laws constituted government interference in sports, violating the rules of international sports bodies.
After much struggle and delay, which caused us significant harm, and with high-level interventions, the suspension was finally lifted. However, for some, this marked the beginning of the decline of our sports sector, one that has yet to fully recover to this day.
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Despite the immense moral and material power held by FIFA and its elder counterpart, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the significant authority they wield, allowing them to exclude even major nations from international events -- as was the case with Russia recently -- their power evolved in a unique and noteworthy way, without official governmental backing.
FIFA was established in 1904 in Paris with the mission of overseeing international football competitions, thanks to the support of various European federations. The driving force behind its formation was journalist Robert Guerin, who went on to become FIFA’s first president.
Initially, FIFA’s primary goal was to promote football, organize international matches, and standardize the game’s rules. Over time, it expanded to include nations from around the world and emerged as the governing body of global football competitions.
The IOC, the older and more senior organization, was founded in 1894, also in Paris, under the vision of Pierre de Coubertin. As an educator and historian, de Coubertin aimed to revive the ancient Olympic Games of Greece, believing that sports could promote peace, understanding, and cooperation among nations, while encouraging physical education for youth.
The IOC was formed during a meeting at Sorbonne University, attended by representatives from 12 countries, where Dimitrios Vikelas of Greece was elected as the first president.
The committee’s initial goal was to organize the modern Olympic Games every four years, providing a legal and sporting framework, selecting host cities, and ensuring that the games adhered to Olympic ideals. The first modern Olympics took place in Greece with athletes from 14 countries.
Over time, both FIFA and the IOC grew in stature and influence, drawing participation from countries across the globe. However, their considerable power also attracted controversy, as both organizations have faced allegations of corruption within their international committees.
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The occasion to talk about FIFA and the Olympics goes back to what is currently being said that Kuwait may be subject to a boycott again, on the pretext that the Kuwaiti government has interfered, or will interfere, in the work of the Football Association, which operates according to FIFA laws, not the laws of the state.
This is something that must be avoided if we want to remain in the international organization and play by its rules. However, to the best of my knowledge, the government has not issued any signals or instructions, written or verbal that represent interference in the work of the association.
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