october
A Recap
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Taking a look at the numerous contributions His Highness the Amir has made to women’s sports in Kuwait 04
05
The Interview
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News
The story of Kuwait’s first Women’s Football League from Farah Boodai 08
Some History
A funny turn of events at the 1982 World Cup qualifying match against New Zealand
Front Cover, Above: Courtesy of M
Top Tier
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RECOVERY 29
Pride of Kuwait
The story of Adelah Al-Roumi, the most decorated Paralympian in Kuwait’s history, her many inspirational Olympic competitions, and life after competing
Muneera Al Darmi touches on the golden days of female athletics in Kuwait 07
001
A look at Kuwait’s only female football player to have found success in an professional league abroad, Lulu AlHuneidi talks about her serial success story in Australia
Of The Month
Quote, Number, Comment, Top and Flop
issue
F EAT U R ES
WARM-UP 03
27 2016
The Odds
Heba Al Mesfer sits down with Fourteen to discuss the politics, bureaucracy, and mismanagement of playing for a national women’s team within Kuwait
02
Highlight
Interviews with athletes that championed over the summer, and profiles highlighting Kuwait’s athletic talent both at home and abroad. 37
University Athletics
Find out where and when your university teams will be playing in the Fall semester, 2016 39
The Event
Red Bull introduces the second annual Bar Bahr competition 41
The Gym
The latest in creative fitness, Flare Fitness shows Fourteen around their new women-only facilities
A RECAP
Kuwait News Agency: 29 Jan 2009 HH AMIR OFFERS “COUNTLESS” CONTRIBUTIONS TO PROMOTE FEMALE SPORTS
CAIRO (KUNA) “Chairperson of Kuwait Female Sports Federation Sheikha Na’eima Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah said on Thursday His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah made outstanding contributions to the development of all aspects of life in Kuwait including female sports. In statements to KUNA here on the occasion of third anniversary of HH the Amir’s assumption of power that falls on January 29, Sheikha Na’eima said HH the Amir shouldered a great
Yasser al-Zayyat | AFP Photo
responsibility in the political leadership of the country as early as the eighties of his age.
rights of women in a bid to achieve a comprehensive development of the country.”
“HH the Amir asserted himself as an active contributor to the process of building Kuwait as a modern country,” she said. He offered outstanding contributions to the social development of the country through enhancing women empowerment in all domains.
There are only three female sports clubs in Kuwait where women can play volleyball, basketball, football, handball, and table tennis. Those three clubs are Al Fatat Sporting Club, Salwa Sporting Club, and Al Oyoon Sporting Club. Other sports such as shooting, horseback riding, cycling, sea sports, motorsports, tennis, karate, track and field, and more are practiced in private clubs and some practice those sports independently.
“Such contributions paved the way for Kuwaiti women to assert themselves in politics as well as in sports,” Sheikha Na’eima asserted. HH the Amir helped translate into action the aspirations of the late Amir Sheikha Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to guarantee all
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OF THE MONTH
NUMBER OF THE MONTH
16
The First female Kuwaiti to ever participate in the Olympics Games was Dana Al-Nasrallah in Athens, 2004. She was only 16 years old.
TWEET OF THE MONTH @bin_habib - “The
people best at theorizing and speaking about sports on TV are some of the Kuwaiti people. But, in reality, we have no achievements! How can we progress?” Mohammed Ali Al Habeeb commenting on the general status of sports in Kuwait
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“Women make up half of the community so they deserve the same rights.” Salman Al-Rashood, the managing director of AC Milan academies, during the opening of the girl’s academy
TOP OF THE MONTH
FLOP OF THE MONTH
Al Arabi Club was forced to sack the club’s manager, Fawzi Ibrahim, and director of football, Mr. Sami Al Hashash, following the team’s poor performances in the league. Following their disappointing draw with Al Sulaibikhat the fans were angered to the point of attempting to break into the team’s dressing room. An interview with a young fan in tears calling for the resignation of Coach Fawzi Ibrahim became one of the most watched clips of the month. Moreover, fights between the club board members was caught on camera and also released to the press.
Ahmed Al Mutairi won his first ever Olympic gold medal in the Men’s 100 meter T33 at the Rio Paralympics 2016.
Left: Matthew Stockman | Getty Images
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THE INTERVIEW
The Golden Era
M u n e e r a A l D a r m i ’s e x p e r i e n c e p l a y i n g f o r t h e Kuwait Women’s National team and Al Qadsiya club
During the 1970s, what some today may call Kuwait’s ‘golden era,’ women’s sports held an important position within Kuwaiti society. Women’s leagues and tournaments for all kinds of sports were the norm, female athletes were regarded as equals, and women were encouraged to take part in what the country had to offer. A player of the former Kuwait National Team, as well as Al Qadsiya’s club basketball team, Muneera Al Darmi, shares her experience of being a female athlete in Kuwait during the good old days. I began my sports career as early as elementary school, first as a gymnast, and later discovering my love for
Courtesy of Muneera Al Darmi
basketball at Aljazayer High School, where I took part in competitions against other local schools.
During
college, a time usually considered to be a major transition in the career of young female basketball players, I had continued playing and was under the supervision of two very prominent figures in Kuwaiti sports. Both Sharfia Al Omar and Yousef Al Roumi had already done quite a lot to ensure the development of women’s sports in Kuwait, and continued to do so through their supervision of the college team. They made sure we received expert coaching and arranged for us to travel to Iraq, Egypt, Algeria and other countries to compete in international competitions. During our senior year
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in college, Al Roumi put together an initiative with Al Qadsiya club to organize tryouts for women, which would later be advertised throughout newspapers with the purpose of recruiting an official basketball team. A coach was assigned to train us exclusively. This made Al Qadsiya the first Kuwaiti club to house a women’s basketball team. We would train every day in the afternoon in the same gym with the men’s team, without any of complications that would commonly arise nowadays. Both teams exhibited the utmost respect and appreciation towards each other; there was a true sense of brotherhood amongst players of both teams. They were truly beautiful days.
Al Qadsiya’s initiative was the first
of its kind. The club later formed other
women teams in different sports including women’s handball, women’s volleyball and women’s track and field. As Al Qadsiya was the only women’s basketball team in the country at the time, the club had to host the Iranian and South Korean basketball teams for us to compete with. Spectatorship in the arena was incredible; I even remember that Keifan arena did not have a single seat to spare once. Those games were not only attended by huge audiences, but also got major TV coverage. Al Qadisya became a good example for other clubs to follow. Kuwait club, Al Arabi club, Fahaheel club and Kazma club soon established their own women’s basketball teams. This spurred the creation of a local league, with a national women’s team
Courtesy of Muneera Al Darmi
forming not long after. The creation of the national team enabled us to take part in international competitions when we were not participating in our local competitions. Al Qadsiya and Alarabi usually contended for the local title, creating a long lived rivalry between the two – but Al Qadsiya was always the champion.
Unfortunately, these beautiful days didn’t last long. Five wonderful years
passed, and the Kuwaiti political climate witnessed the rise of conservatives and fundamentalism that spread across many positions of power in the country. Any and all women’s sports activities were in turn brought to a halt, going so far as to ban women’s sports at universities, schools and even sport clubs.
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It is really saddening to have had the
chance to play on sports teams at major clubs in the country, to have had the support and encouragement of the clubs and nation at large, and amidst all of the advancements and progress we see in all walks of life today, see my daughters struggle to find similar support and encouragement to be a part of national sports. What’s more, is seeing them being attacked and openly opposed in the media for wanting to represent Kuwaiti sports. The bitter truth is that although women’s sports have been reintroduced in Kuwait, they do not enjoy the same level of support and endorsement that we once received, neither from society nor the authorities.
NEWS
K
W
F
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Kuwait Women’s Football League Founder and organizer of KWFL, Farah Boodai, on establishing the only women’s football league in Kuwait. In the beginning, we were just a group of girls that would call each other up to set a football game here or there. The idea of creating a social league eventually grew out of this - but my partner, Haya al Eissa, and I never expected it to grow into what it is today. During 2010, our first year of the league, it was still a casual, and quite simple, group. We had around 4 or 5 teams. At that point it became clear that while there were quite a lot of women who wanted to participate in the league, women who enjoyed playing football, there wasn’t anything like this available. The league actually had quite a lot of potential. To maintain the causal and unofficial status we had been enjoying, I decided
Courtesy of Farah Boodai
that we would continue to call it a social league, while also closing it off to allow for only women, so even those wearing hijab would feel comfortable too. All in all, the first season went very well. We were able to maintain our casual atmosphere without a set of rules, registration process, or any fees to pay; people would simply chip in to pay for the costs of the field and I paid out of pocket for the equipment. The objective was to create a place for women to enjoy football and feel comfortable doing so. Six years later, it’s very different story. We have a new generation of women who are more open to playing football and it has become a lot easier for them to play in comparison to the past. The league has developed and grown into the most awaited women’s football competition in Kuwait. We are proud to say that on many women’s calendars across the country, Wednesday evenings are marked and reserved for Kuwait Women’s Football
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League (KWFL). Today the league requires teams to submit registration forms and attach civil IDs, as we are host to 10 teams with a total of 110 players. Moreover, we have established a great partnership with Goal Courts, who have supported us with field reservations throughout the past six years. Whenever I bump into any of the women that participate in the league or watch the games, they always ask, “When does the new season start?” Many of these women depend on this league and thus, I feel that it’s my responsibility to always organize the best league that I can. Year after year I see the teams’ growth and development, which is quite fun to watch! Their excitement and love of football pushes me to continue. The KWFL season 2016 has kicked off on the 12th of October and the new season is off to a great start.
SOME HISTORY
Sheikh Fahad Al Ahmed December 14, 1981 During the 1982 World Cup qualifying match between New Zealand and Kuwait, players were met with signs reading “Go back home, you Bedouins and camel people.” To the surprise of most, the next match became host to a line of camels entering the stadium in a show of Kuwaiti pride and humor. The Martyr Sheikh Fahad Al-Ahmed knew the best way to address the insults was through taking the high road and embracing the heritage in which Kuwaitis find pride. Through this incident the song “Haydo” came about and 34 years later, it is still one of the most popular songs in Kuwaiti football.
Garofalo Jack, Jarnoux Patrick| Getty Images
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THE MOMENT
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Asraa Bahman Asraa Bahman of Kuwait reacts in the 10m Air Pistol Women’s event at Ongnyeon International Shooting Range during the 2014 Asian Games on September 20, 2014 in Incheon, South Korea. Chung Sung | Getty Images
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LULU AL-HUNEIDI
Top Tier The only female to represent Kuwait in a professional football league abroad, the Women’s National Premier League in Australia. An Inter view with Lulu Al-Huneidi
L
ulu Al-Huneidi currently plays in the Women’s National Premier League in Victoria for a team called Geelong Galaxy United Football Club. The Women’s National Premier League is the second highest level of football in Australia. Above this is the W-League and then players from this league filter through into the Australian Team; the Matildas.
with my brother and his friends at local football pitches where I was also the only girl playing. I came to live in Australia in 2012 to start university in Ballarat. That year I joined the Ballarat Lady Devils (now known as the Ballarat Eureka Strikers) who play in State League 1, the league below the Women’s National Premier League. I played with the Lady Devils/Ballarat Eureka Strikers from 20122016. I loved playing for them as it was such a step up from the level at which I played in Kuwait. I had never before played on a grass full sized pitch before, and I really had to work hard to improve my fitness and my outdoor football skills to earn a place in the senior team. I started off in the Reserves squad in 2012 and I made my way into the Senior squad in 2013 and played there until I left in 2016.
You Currently play in the second highest division football league in Australia, so for those who don’t know, tell us your story.
I started playing football in Kuwait as I was growing up. I used to play outside in the garden with my brother and from there I joined the football teams at school, starting in Year 3 and playing all the way up until I finished school in Year 13. In my primary school years I was the only girl playing in a team of boys. Outside of school I played football games
Left: Hazel Bickerton
In the middle of the 2016 season with the Ballarat Eureka Strikers I was approached by the coach of Geelong Galaxy who asked if I would like to trial
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with them as they had a position open for a striker. It was a really hard decision for me because I did not want to leave my club, teammates and coaches whom I had played alongside for so long and who had taught and helped me to develop into a much better player. However, I have always had the dream to play at the highest level I could possibly reach, and I really wanted to push myself to be the best I could be. My coaches at the Ballarat Eureka Strikers encouraged me to trial with Geelong Galaxy and I have not looked back since moving to Geelong Galaxy. At this level, it is very competitive and there are many challenges. One week you might be starting, the next you could be on the bench. I have to work hard each and every week to earn my spot on the team, and that is what I love about it; each player is rewarded for their efforts. When I started with Geelong Galaxy, I soon realised that I had to improve my fitness as well as my body strength and speed; the game at this level is at a much faster pace and players are much more physical.
What’s been the most exciting part about playing at this level? Would you have thought you’d be here 5 years ago?
The most exciting part about playing at this level is the quality of the opposition and the competitiveness between teams and players. I enjoy playing at this level because it is challenging and really encourages and motivates me to improve my own game. Another aspect which is super exciting is the coverage that women’s football is starting to get; games are being filmed and the Grand Final was taped and even broadcast online. Initially I did doubt myself and my ability to play at this higher level and to be here now is very rewarding, and I continue to push myself to become a better player and believe in myself and my potential.
What do you consider your biggest success? and What has been the biggest challenge getting to where you are thus far?
For me personally, my biggest success to date is making it into a team in the Women’s National Premier League and being able to play alongside and learn from some very talented people; both
Bernie Curtain
players (some of whom have played/ still play for the Matildas) and coaches alike. My biggest challenge initially was understanding the different levels and pathways that were available to me here in Australia and how I could progress further within football. I often think about where I and other young women could be now if Kuwait had invested in these programs and pathways for females in sport. Leaving the Ballarat Eureka Strikers was also a challenge. It was there I was taught so much of what I know today in terms of skills and understanding of the game; I found it hard to leave my teammates, coaches and the club who had become my family over the five years.
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In Kuwait you played for the National Volleyball Team while also focusing on your football career. Has football become your sole focus?
Currently, I only play football. For me, it was not a hard decision about which sport I wanted to pursue when I came to Australia. Football has always been my passion. The only reason I did not play football at a higher level in Kuwait was simply because there was no competitive pathway there and there were no clubs who offered a high standard of football or facilities for women. I do miss playing volleyball, however during my visits back to Kuwait I attend volleyball training with my team, and in the early years of my
“I often think about where I and other young women could be now if Kuwait had invested in these programs and pathways for females in sport. ” degree I took time off from university to participate in a Volleyball competition in Qatar.
We saw that you sometimes coach the under 13 team, do you feel like coaching has had an impact on the way you play or view the game?
This year I was the Co-Head Coach of the Ballarat Eureka Strikers Under 13 team (girls team). Coaching has definitely changed the way I view and even play the game. Coaching, and undertaking a coaching course has deepened my understanding of the game and has improved my ability to think critically and tactically. From this I have been
Kate Healy | The Courier
able to better understand the game as a whole and I have been able to implement certain aspects into my own game as well as in my role as a coach.
Growing up in Kuwait, did you feel you were given the same opportunities to succeed in football as your male counterparts were?
Absolutely not! I remember being really upset that my brother could play football on full sized grass pitches during the football season at school, and the girls could only play ‘indoor football’ on basketball courts. I remember being told that there were a couple of reasons for this. Firstly, that schools did not have
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enough girls to field a full team, and that there were no outdoor pitches that allowed females to play on them. As a result I only played ‘indoor’ football at school and only ever played outdoor football with my brother and his male friends whenever I got the opportunity. To put it simply, Kuwait did not have the facilities available to help promote female participation and progression in sport. From my experience in the Kuwait National Volleyball Team, I can say that I saw firsthand the inequality of opportunities between men and women in sport. Sporting clubs for males in Kuwait have great facilities and they start
with boys participating from a young age and go through all the way to their senior teams. Clubs compete against each other in local competitions and male athletes are supported and funded to play and work to become the best. In contrast to this, when I first started playing volleyball, we trained at a men’s club and we had to play with and against the men’s teams because there was no other female competition for us to play against. I think that this is the case for many other sports and female athletes within Kuwait and it can be very disheartening and demotivating for female athletes wanting to succeed. This results in women not receiving enough income to support themselves and be a full time athlete. The outcome of this is that some women choose another profession and let their passion for sport go. The issues surrounding support, funding, sponsorship and coverage are a problem that female athletes in Australia also face, but not nearly to the same extent as is the case in Kuwait.
“Kuwait did not have the facilities available to help promote female participation and progression in sport. From my experience in the Kuwait National Volleyball Team, I can say that I saw firsthand the inequality of opportunities between men and women in sport.”
Left: Courtesy of Galaxy United FC Twitter; Right: Bernie Curtain
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The value of sport and exercise and women’s participation in these is also not recognised nor promoted highly. There is a stereotypical view that exercise or sport is predominately a male activity and this can have an impact on a woman’s decision to participate and be successful in sport. Having said this, over the past few years I have seen an improvement in the opportunities for females participating in physical activity and sport in Kuwait, and I have also seen a general increase in the promotion and benefits of exercise.
Do you have any words of wisdom for other young athletes looking to make a successful career out of their skills?
A quote by Walt Disney that I try to fulfill in my pursuit of sport is: ‘’If you can dream it, you can do it’’. Additionally, I try to use the negativity from others to motivate myself to prove them wrong.
RI A B
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FEEI
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~ @WILD.KWT
coming soon..
#FINDtheWILD
PRIDE OF KUWAIT
THE PRIDE OF KUWAIT The most decorated Paralympian in Kuwait’s History.
Adelah Al Roumi’s Career Achievements
Paraplegiker Magazine Cover
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A
delah Al Roumi is one of Kuwait’s most distinguished international athletes. Defying all odds and overcoming her difficulties, she has become the most decorated and successful Paralympian in Kuwait’s history.
At the age of twelve, Adelah made her first visit to the Kuwait Disabled Sports Club. Fascinated by the passion she witnessed throughout the training sessions at the club, it was during this visit that she was inspired to become a great athlete - knowing that if she put her mind to it, she could achieve anything.
The five time gold medalists’ successful
career
**Statistics Courtesy of Al Watan
was
paved
by
relentless hard work and dedication. In her first competition at the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports (IWAS), she won first place in the 100m, 200m, and 400m women’s sprinting. Moreover, she won four more gold medals in shotput, javelin, discus, and wheelchair racing. Adelah watched proudly as the Kuwaiti flag was raised at the podium, and while she listened to the national anthem, it was hard to contain her overwhelming emotions of pride and joy.
Adelah went on to become a world Paralympian champion, participating in four Paralympics. Her first participation was in the 1980 Paralympics in the Netherlands where she won two gold medals and one
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silver, before competing in the 1984 Paralympics in Britain, winning a gold, silver, and bronze medal. Four years later, Adelah participated in the 1988
“Her first participation was in the 1980 Paralympics in The Netherlands where she won two gold medals and one silver medal”
Adelah holds the world record in Melbourne for heavyweight lifting carrying an impressive 132.5 kilograms Paralympics in South Korea and won two gold medals and one silver. In her last Paralympics, Adelah managed to win a silver medal in Spain during 1992. In addition to her impressive Paralympics career, Adelah broke the world record in Melbourne for heavyweight lifting carrying an impressive 132.5 kilograms.
She has received one hundred gold
and silver medals, five international trophies, and numerous awards from both international and local sports organizations. Her achievements specifically include the Best Athlete Award, Switzerland in 1979 and 1980, “The Magazine” Athlete of the Year Award, Saudi Arabia in 1988, The Arab World’s Best Athlete Award, and finally, The Inner Power, Goal Setting, Bravery in the Face of Adversity Award.
Left, Right: Courtesy of Adelah Al Roumi’s Instagram
All of the years of hard work, commitment, and difficult training sessions have paid off. Her love and pride in representing Kuwait has driven her to become the renowned Paralympian that she is today. Adelah has said how grateful she is for the opportunity to represent Kuwait and that such an opportunity would not have been possible without the support of her family, especially her mother, who has worked tirelessly to promote her achievements. In addition, she says she is grateful for the support of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah, his Crown Prince His Highness Sheikh Sa’ad Al Abdullah Al Sabah, the martyr Sheikh Fahad Al Ahmad Al Sabah, and Sheikh Nasser Al Mohammed Al Sabah.
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Towards the end of her career, Adelah Al Roumi suffered an injury that left her unable to compete, thus causing her to retire. Despite her own athletic career coming a close, she has not ceased in giving back to the sports community. Adelah has adopted a new role, working in rehabilitation centers to help foster a positive life for disabled athletes that are struggling both mentally and emotionally.
Ultimately, as members of the sports community in Kuwait, we would like to raise our hats in appreciation of the strong, talented, and phenomenal champion, Adelah Al Roumi.
Courtesy of Adelah Al Roumi’s Instagram
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Courtesy of Adelah Al Roumi’s Instagram
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THE ODDS
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Against the odds Some of the many problems female athletes face throughout their career in spor ts. Heba Al Mesfer talks to Four teen
H
eba Al Mesfer is the captain of Kuwait’s national volleyball team and plays for Al Fatat Club, one of the oldest and most popular female sports clubs in Kuwait. At thirty years of age, Heba is currently the oldest player on the team and has been with the Kuwait national team since its establishment. She has participated in over 20 tournaments, for both the club and country, and has won several individual awards in local and regional competitions. Heba has also served as Public Relations representative to the Olympic Committee.
Courtesy of Heba Al Mesfer
Mismanagement
Heba begins our interview by explaining that the club players have greatly struggled with their club’s administration, in addition to the Women’s Sports Federation, to no end. She goes on to say that the mismanagement comes in all shapes and sizes, having brought absolutely no progress to the players or team. The biggest problem that we face is an issue of hiring. We never seem to hire the right person for the right position, and in the meantime, administrators are constantly interfering with those already employed, making it impossible for
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anyone to do their given job. One clear example is that of coaching decisions. While our coaches have the necessary experience and background, are familiar with each player and their position, and know how to hold the team responsible, we still have administrators constantly wanting to have the final say. They try to instruct the coach on what to do and even try to say who gets picked for the starting lineup. It is absolutely ridiculous. Their incompetence has no limits. After being fit for a uniform sized medium, I was given a size XXXL. When asked how I was supposed play in a uniform over triple my size, one of the administrators replied that those are the sizes available
in west Asia, and there is nothing that can be done about it. In addition to a lack of proper uniforms, even the shoes we are given are knockoffs. The administration completely refuses to buy correct sportswear for the team. It seems that even when dealing with the simplest of tasks, the administrators cannot seem to get it right.
Financial Problems
The Public Authority for Sports grants the club 200,000-250,000KWD a year, and somehow our finances continue to run out. The team once had to come together and donate money to pay for a coach’s salary because the club said that they cannot afford to keep him. The financial mysteries do not end there, we have to had to pay for our own uniforms on multiple occasions, or were forced to get outside sponsorship to pay for them instead. On top of this, each player is supposed to receive a 400KWD monthly allowance, and we have not seen that since 2007. We have no idea where
Courtesy of Heba Al Mesfer
and how the budget gets spent, but it is extremely clear it is not spent on the team.
Players are more than just players
The administrators’ lack of initiative and their sluggish work ethic forces the
“The team once came together and donated money to pay for a coach’s salary because the club said that they cannot afford to keep him.” 25
players to do everything for the team. To participate in competitions, we have to find out about tournaments that are held in the region ourselves, then we have to go and ask the administration if we can participate. While Kuwait does receive invitations to tournaments, they usually send emails, but we, unfortunately, still live in the Stone Age and only use fax machines. If the players don’t notify the administration about tournaments in the region, we would never participate in any tournament. They don’t plan anything for us, we have to request training camps and run around trying to get it done. They ask us to go and request sabbatical leave from the Public Authority for Sports in order to leave work or university for a tournament, yet they don’t do anything. There were times were our sabbatical leaves were only issued one day before a tournament. They have no regard or consideration for our jobs or our studies. How are we supposed to pack up and leave without sorting out our absence with our jobs/universities?
have to park outside the club and walk to practice because the parking lot is full of cars attending a gathering, party, or dinner going on. We do not even have a gym at the club. The players themselves have to pay out of pocket to get memberships outside of the club. Where else in the world does an athlete and a national team member not have access to a gym in their own club? We don’t have physiotherapists or specialized medics in the club. We pay for our own recovery - if we need surgery or physiotherapy, we have to go to hospitals and do it on our own and fund it ourselves.
No domestic league
There is no domestic league for the clubs to play in. We have three teams in Kuwait and that’s not enough to establish a league. We asked the Public Authority for Sports to add university teams to create a league but they rejected the idea and refuse to offer alternative solutions.
Resolving problems with the administration
“We have no idea where and how the budget gets spent, but it is extremely clear it is not spent on the team.” Tournament Preparations
The national team has never prepared for a tournament. In addition to not playing enough matches due to the nonexistence of a domestic national league, the team does not regularly have any training camps. Throughout the years we have developed friendships with players from other countries like Qatar, Bahrain, and Jordan. Their federation takes them to training camps in Germany, Italy, and Egypt. Meanwhile, we barely have any training camps and when we did have it once, it was for a few days before a tournament. How do they expect us to win championships and compete if we don’t get the necessary training beforehand?
Courtesy of Heba Al Mesfer
In all of the tournaments that we participate in outside of Kuwait, they never send a fully equipped delegation. The team travels with only our coach; there is no assistant coach, no fitness coach, no team doctor, no team nutritionist. I once got injured during a tournament in the United Arab Emirates and couldn’t walk, yet we had was no doctor there! The game was broadcasted on Kuwait TV and everyone could see that we ended up using a doctor from another delegation. It’s an embarrassment for the country.
Club Facilities
Our club is more of a social club than a sports club. More often than not, we
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When wanting to address any of these issues or needed changes with the chairperson of Women Sports Federation, we get yelled at for objecting and they always tell us that it is none of our business. The chairperson of the federation doesn’t accept criticism and treats us like children.
A better future?
The Women Sports Federation needs to find out what problems the current players face in order to resolve them. Also, players need to have a say in how the club is running and participate in the clubs’ general assembly meetings. This solution would mean removing the current administrators from their positions with female sports clubs in Kuwait and finding new replacements.
THE MOMENT
Nada Al Jeraiwi Noura Al Hajeri Nada Al Jeraiwi , left, and Noura Al Hajeri, right, share a laugh after completing the ITU World Triathlon in Abu Dhabi, UAE, 2016 Nikki Kahn | The Washington Post
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HIGHLIGHT
NAJLA AL-JERAIWI The greatest Kuwaiti female Cyclist
Courtesy of Najla Al-Jeraiwi
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B
efore participating in triathlons, or even knowing what they were, the first competitive sport I was invested in was horseback riding. My journey with triathlons began in 2010 with the 3 club - the first triathlon club in Kuwait. I had only joined for personal fitness reasons, and never really thought about competing. At the time, the philosophy was very different to what it is today. You wouldn’t see many women running in public, nor would you see any women riding bicycles. My family didn’t fully comprehend what I was doing at first; they used to assume that I was going to the gym, or just exercising in general. They didn’t understand that this was a sport in itself. My swimming training would begin at 5am, but it was still hard for me to leave the house that early. I began by telling my family that training started at 6am, slowly transitioning the start time I told them until they got used to the idea of a 5am practice. I was still participating in international horseback riding competitions at that time, when I heard about a triathlon race and thought to myself “why not give that a try?” I decided why not, and during one single week in Abu Dhabi, I had a show jumping competition, an endurance riding competition, and finally, a triathlon race. I fell in love! It was my first of many races. This was such an important one because both local and international news agencies were present. The media was shocked, and even impressed, that I was the not only the sole Arab female competing, I was also the only covered woman in the race - possibly the first they had seen compete. Due to an injury that happened later that year, I was no longer able to continue horseback riding at a competitive level. As a result, I gradually moved away from horseback riding and became solely devoted to triathlons. Fast forward to today and the circumstances are very different. I now receive a lot of support, both locally and internationally - some of my sponsors are also from the Gulf. The impact of the sport is finally being recognized, especially after participating in the 17th Asian Games. It is making a clear point that women are not only interested, but very able to compete in the sport.
Courtesy of Najla Al-Jeraiwi
“The media was shocked, and even impressed. I was the not only the sole Arab female competing, I was also the only covered woman in the race - possibly the first they had seen compete.” Last May I participated in the GCC Cycling Championship, a week later, I participated in the Pan Arab Triathlon Cup. To be honest, I was hoping to win the GCC Cycling Championship but humbled my expectations for the Pan Arab Triathlon Cup. I competed in the elite category for that race, knowing it would not be an easy feat, so I had focused most of my training on the cycling championship. Thankfully, I placed first at the GCC Cycling Championship for both races I competed in, and took second place at the Pan Arab Triathlon Cup. I was very proud of myself - it was by no means a simple challenge. This summer I went on a five-week training camp in Greece with the Kuwait National Cycling team. At the camp we participated in four races. I placed first
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in three and in the final, organized by the Greek Cycling Federation and the most difficult/mountainous race, I placed second. I will never quit triathlons as long as I am able to compete. My statistics and my numbers suggest, and I believe, that one day I can compete in the Olympics for cycling. Therefore, this year I am channeling my focus and training to hopefully lead me there. On the 11th of October I will compete in the 2016 Road World Championships in Qatar. It will be my, and any Gulf women’s, first time competing in the UCI World Championships. I am hoping to learn a lot from participating in that race as the competitive standards can be compared to those of the Olympics.
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SHAIKHA AL-NOURI Al-Nouri takes silver medal in the 2016 Hong Kong Open Wakeboard Competition
W
hen did you first start wakeboarding? What got you interested in this specific sport? Ever since I was a child, I would go to the beach on a weekly basis. My father taught me how to drive and handle his boat at a very young age. He was the one that introduced me to watersports. I was constantly water skiing and kneeboarding, always looking for something to challenge me, something more exciting. In 2009, I was introduced to the wakeboard. Little did I know, I would fall in love with the sport. I was immediately hooked. I began practicing from time to time, and in 2010, I joined Kuwait’s first local wakeboarding competition, “Waki Day.” I ended up winning first place, and
Courtesy of Shaikha Al-Nouri
from then on, started training on a daily basis. To do something you love and to actually be good at is one of the best feelings in the world.
Can you tell us about the kind of support you receive in Kuwait? My team, family, and friends have always had my back. Being the only female athlete on a team may cause someone else to doubt their skill, but my teammates have offered me nothing less than encouragement, as I do to them. We motivate one another regardless of our gender, which is how our team is built. But, what I find amazing is the support I have received from the public. When I began competing and actually getting up on the podium, people would come up to me telling me that what I was doing
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“What I find amazing is the support I have received from the public.” was great. To this day it still leaves me speechless. I started getting recognized by companies and small businesses very quickly - receiving support from equipment, to gym memberships, even financial support. It’s truly unreal!
Did this type of recognition lead to you getting a specific type of board?
Is there a type or model that you prefer to use? I am sponsored by Ronix wakeboards through Q8Balance. Q8Balance helps provide me with new gear every season.
Now that we know more about how you got started, let’s talk about what you’ve been doing lately. Tell us more about the competition in Hong Kong. What was it like to participate in this level of competition internationally? The competition was continent wide and had around 12 countries from all over Asia. I was actually the only Arab woman in the competition. I signed up for the amateur competition and, to my surprise, the night of the competition when I double checked the list of names, I found my name listed under the professionals’ competition! I tried talking to the organizers to explain that there was a mix up, but they told me that it was too late. I had no option but to compete. I tried my best, though I didn’t think I would even finish 3rd or 4th in the competition. During the announcement of the results, I was so shocked to learn that I had finished second! It was incredible. I can’t describe how amazing it feels listening to your name being announced on the podium and to finish second place in such a difficult competition.
Courtesy of Shaikha Al-Nouri
When someone brings boarding, is there surprising that comes What about that is most to you?
up wake anything to mind? important
To me, it’s not just about the board and handle. This sport changed my life; it made me who I am today. Anyone can get on a board and ride, but it takes courage to able to commit to something on a daily basis, and work on a trick over, and over, and over until you land it. Sometimes it takes you just a couple of days,
sometimes a few months. Wakeboarding is not only physically demanding, but it’s a mental game as well. To be able to take myself so far out my comfort zone, and push the boundaries of my limits further each day. I think that wakeboarding is not just a sport, it’s a life-style.
Do you have a plan for what’s next? Prepare myself for Asian beach games & dream is to one day internationally and get world championships.
the upcoming Asian cup. My get recognized invited to the
What advice could you give to anyone who’s thinking about trying wakeboarding? Do it! Go ahead and give it a try. If it’s not for you, that’s fine. But most importantly, start moving. Get active whether it’s with cycling, running, or horseback riding. I am a big supporter of sports and I encourage the younger generation to keep experiencing new things until they find something that lights their hearts on fire. Trust me, my only regret with wakeboarding is that I didn’t start earlier! Once again, to do something you love and to actually be good at is one of the best feelings in the world.
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THE MOMENT
Fajir Ahmed Fajir Ahmed competing against Ri Myongsun of North Korea in Table Tennis Women’s Team Prliminary Round Group D during day eight of the 2014 Asian Games at Suwon Gymnasium on September 27, 2014 in Incheon, South Korea Lintao Zhang | Getty Images
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HIGHLIGHT
ATHLETE PROFILES Meet the female athletes highlighting Kuwait’s talent both at home and abroad.
SARA ABDULRAHMAN AL-HAWAL Shooting Age 29
Gold medal in Asian Championship in 2012 Silver medal in CSIM International Shotgun Championship Gold and Silver medal in several Gulf competitions 7th in World Championship in Lonato (2015)
These are only some of their national and international achievements.
ANWAR SAMI AL - OMAR Volleyball Age 30
Best Libero in Womens Gulf Tournament in 2010, Kuwait Silver medal in Gulf Tournament in Kuwait in 2010 Silver medal in Gulf Tournament in UAE in 2011 Bronze medal in Arab Clubs Championship in Jordan in 2013
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MANAYER YOUSEF SALMEEN
MENWA MA JED AL - SHEMMERI
Top 16 in World Championships in 2011 in Pattaya, Thailand Three times National Champion, twice in 2009 and once in 2011 Silver and two bronze medals in Pan-Arab Olympics in Qatar, 2011 Asian Champion in 2014 with 1 gold and 1 silver in Kuwait
Bronze medal in Women’s Singles Arab Tournament in 2015 Gold medal in Women’s Doubles Gulf Tournament in 2012 Gold medal in the Gulf Clubs Tournament in Sharjah, 2014 Bronze medal in Arab Clubs Championship in Jordan in 2007
LAILA HAIDAR BEHBEHANI
ABRAR MOUSA AL - FAHAD
Silver Medal in GCC competition in Bahrain 2013 Bronze medal in GCC competition in Kuwait in 2014 Gold medal in Baniyas Arab Tournament in 2013
4 times GCC champion 2008, 2011, 2013,2015 Gold medalist in Open Championships in Korea 2012, 2013 Three bronze medals in Open Championships in 2006, 2008, 2009 Two bronze medals in Arab Games in Bahrain 2008, Qatar 2011
Karate Age 26
Table Tennis Age 27
Basketball Age 30
Taekwondo Age 32
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UAAK
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FALL SCHEDULE 2016 AUM
7:00PM
26-Oct
AOU GUST
8:00PM
27-Oct
AUK ACK
8:00PM
AUK AUM
AUM
8:00PM
1-Nov
ACK AOU
8:00PM
2-Nov
ACM GUST
8:00PM
AUM AOU
AUM
8:00PM
8-Nov
ACK GUST
8:00PM
9-Nov
AUK ACM
8:00PM
ACK ACM
AUM
8:00PM
15-Nov
AUM GUST
8:00PM
16-Nov
AUK AOU
8:00PM
24-Oct
UAAK MEN'S FOOTBALL LEAGUE
31-Oct
7-Nov
13-Nov
1
2
3
4
21-Nov
5
ACM AOU
AUM
8:00PM
22-Nov
AUK GUST
8:00PM
ACK AUM
8:00PM
23-Nov
ROUND
UAAK BASKETBALL LEAGUE
AUM ACM
OPPONENTS
VENUE
TIME
WOMEN'S
MEN'S
1
AOU GUST
GUST
7:30PM
8:30PM
25-Oct
ACK AUM
AUM
7:00PM
8:00PM
2
ACK GUST
GUST
7:30PM
8:30PM
1-Nov
AUM AUK
AUM
7:00PM
8:00PM
3
ACK AOU
GUST
7:00PM
8:00PM
8-Nov
GUST AUM
AUM
7:00PM
8:00PM
4
AUK AOU
GUST
7:00PM
8:00PM
AUK ACK
TBC
7:00PM
8:00PM
AUK GUST
GUST
7:30PM
8:30PM
AUM AOU
AUM
7:00PM
8:00PM
24-Oct 31-Oct 7-Nov 14-Nov
TBC
21-Nov
5
22-Nov
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THE EVENT
RED BULL BAR BAHR Engines Roar on Sand and Water in “Red Bull Bar Bahr” Championship on November 11, 2016.
L
and and water motorsports are different in many ways, mainly the nature of the track consisting of solid ground in the first type and water in the second. In addition to the vehicles and the way they are driven on each track. Nevertheless, a unique event came to combine between the two types once again, in a relay race between competitors racing on Quad bikes and their teammates on Jet Ski: “Red Bull Bar Bahr” which returns to Kuwait for the second time on November 11, on Marina Beach in Salmiya. The race will be preceded by qualifying rounds on November 10 to select those who will participate in the finals. The level of thrill and adrenaline will double for speed and adventure lovers who will witness, starting from Friday, November 11th, at 2:30 PM, two
Courtesy of Red Bull
consecutive races on the two Quad bikes and Jet Ski parallel tracks.
to hand him the key so the latter can begin his Jet Ski race to reach the finish line.
The event is organized by Basel Salem Al-Sabah Motorsport Club and will be held under the sponsorship of Nissan Al-Babtain, Public Authority for Youth and Sports, Kawasaki, GoPro, Acqua Eva, Marina Mall, Al Anbaa Newspaper, Kuwait Times Newspaper, and Studentalk Magazine.
The land racing track consists of a track designed to bring out the racers’ driving skills, and includes curves of medium and sharp edges, bumps, and sand barriers, driving thus the event to more exciting levels. Buoys, however, delimit the water track, and particular maneuvers will be required for this kind of competition, including double or triple turnovers and similar details that add, in turn, more excitement to the race.
A relay Race involving 24 teams
The 24 teams will be vying for “Red Bull Bar Bahr” title, with each team consisting of a Quad bike racer and a Jet Ski driver. The competitions kick off with Quad racing on sand, and upon reaching the end of the land track, the driver will have to hop out of his bike and run towards his teammate
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A committee of experts to supervise the race
A committee of motorsports experts will oversee the smooth functions of the qualifying rounds and the finals; it includes
motorsport stars and Red Bull athletes, UAE national Mohammad Al Blooshi, Kuwaiti national Mohammad Jaffar, and Kuwaiti Mohammad Burbayea who won the championship’s first season in 2014. The mission of the racing’s technical committee will focus on supervising “Red Bull Bar Bahr” competitions and the participants’ commitment to the rules and regulations.
five days on strewing sand on the track site and delimiting its borders, assisted by a small bulldozer given the required delicate process at this level. A roller will handle the leveling of the track for four days to render it suitable for the race after spraying large quantities of water on the track, reaching six tanks per day. Two vehicles will be working on a daily basis on paving the road.
In order to participate in the championship, each quad bike competitor must possess a driving license and be owner of his bike. Participants in the Jet Ski category should have a license from the Marine Sports Club of Kuwait.
The “Red Bull Bar Bahr” Championship was held for the first in 2014. It was an extraordinary event in Kuwait and the Middle East when Quad bikes and Jet Ski motorsports disciplines were combined in a unique competition, which announced Mohammad Al Khulaifi (Quad) and Mohammad Burbayea (Jet Ski) as the winning team.
The preparation of the “Red Bull Bar Bahr” Championship land track on Marina Beach will require five days of continuous work, stretching from midnight of every night until 9:00 of the following morning. The track which is designed and supervised by Red Bull athlete, UAE national Mohammad Al Balooshi, will require up to eighty trucks loaded with sand to be transported to the event site. A large bulldozer will work for
Courtesy of Red Bull
2016 CHAMPIONSHIP I N F O R M AT I O N Category: Quad bikes and Jet Ski Location: Marina Beach Qualifier: Thursday, November 10th, 2016 Final: Friday, November 11th, 2016 @ 2:30 PM Number of finalists: 24 For participation, call: 67765544 or visit www.redbull.com/barbahr
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THE GYM
FLARE FITNESS The Women’s Workout Space Flare Fitness has recently opened their first females-only location at The Crystal Tower in Kuwait City. Flare gym has gained great popularity since its opening, thanks to their creative approach to fitness and their attention to detail in customer service. With such a wide variety of classes and timings, each member can find the right program that suits their individual needs.
Courtesy of Flare Fitness
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committing to a membership, they
At the Crystal Tower Location,
are always welcome to come and try the classes first. Memberships range from 1 month to 1 year, allowing for customers to choose the plan that is best for them. Once your membership is complete, registering for the class of your choice is made easy by the Flare Fitness mobile application, allowing you to see upcoming classes and times. Check out Flare Fitness for a female-only gym that is focused on helping their members not only achieve their goals, but exceed them.
members are able to start with a straightforward endurance program that allows them to develop basic skills and metabolic conditioning. In just 3 classes, participants will learn all of the fundamentals needed to progress to the next level and be ready to join the fitness classes of their choosing. The recommended next level of classes is CrossFit, but don’t worry, if CrossFit is not for you, the gym also offers Yoga and TRX (a body weight resistance program using various levels of exercise bands). Flare Fitness will also be adding Kickboxing classes to the schedule in the near future.
Last month we said that Flare is one of the most desirable CrossFit gyms in Kuwait because of its unparalleled workout spaces that are uniquely designed to support their clients. This assessment stands firm for their women’s gym too.
In addition to multiple types of workouts, Flare Fitness’ trainers are available to provide members with guided nutritional plans based on each individual’s goals and current health. Customer service continues even further through their ability to work with injured members, providing athletic advice and injury-specific training.
Flare Fitness Crystal Tower is open 6 days a week, from 1:00-9:00pm.
For those who would like to experience the gym before
Courtesy of Flare Fitness
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