Kuwaiti crown prince honours outstanding players

His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has patronized and attended a ceremony for honoring excellent players of national teams and sports clubs.
Addressing the ceremony, organized on Monday by the Public Authority for Youth and Sport (PAYS), His Highness the Crown Prince highlighted directives by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to provide utmost care to youth activities in all fields.
This is prompted by His Highness the Amir's belief that youth is "the pillars of national renaissance. They are the flourishing present and the promising future," His Highness the Crown Prince said.
Arriving at the venue of the ceremony earlier, His Highness the Crown Prince was received by Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, PAYS Chairman and Director General Sheikh Ahmad Al-Mansour Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Deputy PAYS Director and head of the higher organizing committee Ahmad Abdulrazzaq Al-Khazel and a host of senior officials from both bodies.
The ceremony started with the national anthem and then recitation of verses from the Holy Quran.
His Highness the Crown Prince, on behalf of the Kuwaiti people, congratulated His Highness the Amir on the global honoring by the UN as a "Humanitarian Leader" and Kuwait as a "Humanitarian Center." The unprecedented honoring recognized His Highness the Amir's contributions to preserve people's lives and alleviate their sufferings around the globe, His Highness the Crown Prince said. Such great benevolence has left everlasting impression on the Arab, Islamic and world levels.
Then His Highness the Crown Prince congratulated the distinguished players for the superb results they achieved on the regional, Arab and international sports scenes, winning advanced ranks in various competitions.
He added that they have shown "honorable faces" portraying a shining image of "beloved Kuwait." His Highness the Crown Prince then lauded the "fruitful efforts" by Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, Chairman of the Kuwait Olympic Committee Sheikh Talal Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, also Chairman of the Kuwait Football Association, and PAYS Chairman and Director General Sheikh Ahmad Mansour Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah as well as heads of the Kuwaiti sports federations and associations.
Then he addressed the honored players urging them to exert their utmost and persistent efforts to maintain the elevated ranks they have achieved, for their dear country.
 For his part, Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud voiced his deep pleasure for the annual occasion to honor the Kuwaiti excellent players, saying the presence of His Highness the Crown Prince reveals high interest by the state's leaderships, represented by His Highness the Amir, in promoting sports.
The State has always been keen on supporting Kuwaitis in all fields, the Minister said, boasting the persevering efforts by the country's players in general, and superlative ones in particular, to raise the name of Kuwait high on the regional and international scenes.
He congratulated the high-caliber players for their achievements that the "dear country will always recall." Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud expressed deep appreciation for establishing the Ministry of State for Youth Affairs, almost two years before, which functions as a comprehensive incubator for sports and youth issues and requirements.
Since inception, the Ministry has been adopting a scientific and objective method, taking the executive steps to offer the best possible educational, social, cultural, sports and refreshing care for young people. He stressed in this respect elevated directives by the State leadership and the cabinet.
The Ministry of State for Youth Affairs has embraced certain programs and strategic plans that were translated into tangible youth and development projects. These included adopting the recommendations of the First National Youth Convention "Kuwait Listens," the Minister said.
Up to 50 percent of these recommendations have been implemented thanks to youth efforts and up to 150 youth initiatives, Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud said. He also highlighted state support to young people to help them make the best of their free time.
Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud underscored the collaboration among the state institutions to realize success, paying tribute to the National Assembly for issuing a host of legislations topped with the law on investment and marketing for sports clubs and federations.
He also expressed gratitude to the cabinet chaired by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, that was keen on producing balanced sports legislations in line with the relevant international charters.
The Minister of State for Youth Affairs also pointed to several projects adopted by PAYS as part of applying the national plan for promoting sports endorsed by the government.
He also thanked Kuwaitis holding key post, at home and on the Asian and the international levels, for supporting the country's sports clubs and federations.
Addressing the ceremony on behalf of the honored players, leading international Squash player Abdullah Al-Mezin, thanked His Highness the Crown Prince for sponsoring the event.
He also emphasized His Highness the Amir's support, but for which it would have been a hard job to realize such achievements.
Al-Mezin also thanked Minister Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud and officials and the state sports bodies their backing.
By the end of the ceremony, His Highness the Crown Prince honored players with special needs, leading sports and media figures and Kuwaitis who won outstanding ranks in competitions, in addition to sports officials.
Source: KUNA