Fourteen Issue 004 EN

DUTY CALLS The pride of representing your countr y with Abdulrahman Al Mutawa

30 01 2017

the sports journal

issue

004

January

Interview

11

Quick-fire questions with Kuwait football wonderkid Bandar Bourslee 04

06

News

Ahmed Al Dhafeeri moves to the Saudi League on loan and Mohammed Burbayea is crowned champion of the Senior Pro Ski GP in Abu Dhabi 08

Some History

Rugby Club president on the historical fixture between Kuwait Scorpions and the British military

Front Cover, Above: Adnan Kamal

004

Pledge, Conquer

Kazma Club rising star Abdulrahman Al Mutawa talks about how he became a volleyball player and his predictions for this season

Of the month

Quote, Number, Comment, Top and Flop

issue

F EAT U R ES

WARM-UP 03

30 2017

19

Grilling Session

The Minister of Information and Minister of State of Youth Affairs faces a grilling session as a result of failing to lift the sports ban on Kuwait 21

RECOVERY 29

Faisal Al Shawa, sports scientist, offers four tips on how to lose weight the correct way 31

02

University Athletics

Australian College of Kuwait win the UAAK men’s basketball league 33

The Events

Red Bull invites Kuwait’s top basketball players to compete in a 3-on-3 challenge, and the 17km North Face Race in Al-Mutla’a on Febuary 4th

In the works

Olympic Committee member Fatema Hayat talks to Fourteen about her plans to transform women’s sports in Kuwait

Highlight

37

The Gym

How Flare changed Saleh Al Enizi’s life

THE INTERVIEW

Bandar Bourslee Kazma and Kuwait football wonder kid talks about his pre-match rituals, his favorite cuisine, and his favorite holiday destination

Who is your all-time favorite football player?

Ronaldo De Lima Who is your favorite local player?

Bader Al Mutawa Most underrated football player in Kuwait?

Mishari Al Azmi (Kazma club) Most underrated player in the world?

Gareth Bale Before every match, I listen to…?

Future - Used to this (ft. Drake) Who is the toughest player that you have played against?

Sultan Al Enizi (Qadsia)

Sports Corner

If I was the president of the Kuwait Football Association I would…?

Organize better training camps for players in the national team If I wasn’t a football player I would have tried to become a professional…?

Swimmer Which sport you most dislike watching or playing?

Golf Favorite Restaurant Cichetti (London) Do you know how to cook? What can you cook best?

I know the basics of cooking, but I make amazing protein cookies!

03

Favorite country that you have visited?

The United States of America Favorite Movie?

Creed What is a dream that you had growing up that you were not able to accomplish?

To play in the English Premier League Most thing that used to scary you as a child?

Snakes If you were a professor at university what subject would you like to teach?

Nutrition

OF THE MONTH

NUMBER OF THE MONTH

10

TWEET OF THE MONTH @m_joharhayat - “More than any other group of people in the world, Kuwaitis love to organize roundtable discussions to examine and debate the issues that we face in sports. Although both branches of government, as well as our citizens, know not only the very the root of the problems but their solutions, we still love to talk.”

10 is the number of times Kuwait has won the Arabian Gulf Cup since the first tournament took place in 1970.

Mohammed Joher Hayat - 22/1/2017

QUOTE OF THE MONTH “…The country is deteriorating: socially, politically, economically, and in every way. The only thing that can make us happy and unite us is sports... All we have is sport and they destroyed it, they don’t want us to be happy, they don’t want anything that can bring us happiness. Why?” Member of Parliament Al Humaidi Al Sebaei - 11/1/2017

TOP OF THE MONTH

FLOP OF THE MONTH

In the wake of several administrative members of Al Qadsia Club having submitted their resignations, fans have called for protests to take place in hopes of urging the remaining members to step down.

Abdulmohsen and Farah Al Babtain successfully organized the largest charity race event of the year. Spark Marathon was open to individuals and families from all age groups, with over 3,000 participants taking part.

Left: Instagram | aalbabtain

04

15

NEWS

Ahmed Al Dhafeeri goes on loan to Al Qadsia

T

he Saudi Arabian first division club, Al Qadsia, has signed Ahmed Al Dhafeeri on loan for 5 months, stirring up controversy between administrators at his parent club, Al Qadsia (Kuwait).

left Al Qadsia to Al Shabab without submitting a transfer request to his club or his club’s approval.

The Kuwaiti player has signed a 5-month loan deal with the Saudi Arabian club for $200,000, without receiving his club’s official approval beforehand. Al Dhafeeri has taken advantage of his amateur status which makes him not legally tied to any club, and applied as a free agent for a temporary international card from FIFA.

This situation has taken place several times throughout the past five years, with a number of players exploiting their lack of contracts with local clubs and signing with regional clubs as professional players instead. In the most extreme of cases, players have been known to fake their transfer and departure, only to come back to Kuwait with a more advantageous status and the ability to choose the club that they desire.

Al Dhafeeri is following in the footsteps of Al Shabab player Seif Al Hashan, who

Ahmed Al Dhafeeri was one of Al Qadisa’s best players last season, scoring 13 goals

Courtesy of gulfeyes.net

06

and assisting in 10. He was considered by many to be Al Qadsia’s secret weapon and the second most effective player on the team, after Al Qadsia captain Bader Al Mutawa.

The rising star was born in 1992, and has played for the first team at the same time as Sultan Al Enizi. Both players have worked their way up from the ranks of the youth team and gone on to win the Crown Prince Cup in 2013. Their team’s performance, especially that of Al Dhafeeri, received a great deal of positive attention in the media, with acclaimed football coach Abdulaziz Al Hajeri describing Al Dhafeeri as the modern game’s ideal center midfielder.

NEWS

Kuwait’s Burbayea shows his ‘class’ Mohammed Burbayea is crowned champion of the Senior Pro Ski GP in Abu Dhabi

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 22: Kuwaiti jet skier and current champion, Mohammad Burbayea, has just represented the Sea Club Team at the second round of the UAE Jet Ski Championship. Following his participation in the championship, he went on to win first place at the Senior Pro Ski GP Category, taking home the trophy.

Courtesy of Red Bull

In a press release, the club praised the Kuwaiti representatives in the championship for proving their determination and drive to their fellow competitors with a seven trophy success.

In addition to the most significant trophy won by Burbayea, his colleague Salem Al-Mutawa won a trophy after placing second in the Expert R/A Limited category.

Zaid Al-Zaidi also came second place in the Novice Ski Stock category, while the promising star Khalid Al-Bnay finished fourth in the same category.

07

Other champions included Nawaf Al-Farhan who defied all odds and finished in fifth position in the Pro-AM R/A Ski category, as well as participants Abdulaziz Matar Ali who also came fifth in the Freestyle category and Bader Al-Shatti who was placed fifth in the Junior R/A Ski category.

The team had previously won four trophies during the first round of the championship held last week at Kaser Sea Beach in Abu Dhabi.

SOME HISTORY

Abdulaziz Sadeqi Rugby Club President “Tradition runs deep in Kuwaiti culture, and the Kuwait Scorpions are keeping tradition alive. Their annual rugby game between the Scorpions and British military dates back to the first game played in 1946, and continues to be played every year since.�

The Kuwait Scorpions are one of the founding rugby clubs in the Gulf. This historic fixture takes place every time the British military visits Kuwait; the last match, on the 6th of January 2017, ended 32-39 with the Scorpions taking the win.

KOC Archives

08

www.almrsal.com

THE MOMENT

Abdulla Fadhel Al Fadhel Abdulla Fadhel Al Fadhel of Kuwait race in the Pro Runabout GP during the Dubai Waterbike Championship at Jumeirah Beach on January 21, 2017 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Getty Images | Francois Nel

10

10

PLEDGE, CONQUER

Pledge, Conquer Kazma Club rising star talks about how he became a v o l l e y ba l l p l a y e r a n d h i s p re d i c t i o n s f o r t h i s s e a s o n

An inter view with Abdulrahman Al Mutawa

Left: Adnan Kamal

12

I

“

owe my start in volleyball entirely to a random coincidence! I was 10 years old and my dad had taken me to the supermarket to buy tissue boxes for the house; at the same time, the Kazma volleyball coach was at the supermarket buying Cerelac for his baby. Luckily for me, both are in the same aisle and when the coach saw me, he immediately came over. At the time I was very tall for my age, so when he asked how old I was, he was certainly surprised to hear I was only 10. The coach went on to ask if I had an interest in playing volleyball for Kazma. I was quite confused...“ what’s volleyball? what’s Kazma?” The coach was very persistent and spent over 45 minutes with my dad, convincing him that I should give volleyball a try. At first, my dad was hesitant, because he wanted me to focus on my studies and is a devoted Qadisia fan, so accepting an offer from another club wasn’t easy. My dad finally said yes, and that same day the club sent a bus to pick me up for practice. From then on, I played volleyball at Kazma.

Career

with

Kazma

As I said earlier, when all of this first started, I had no idea what volleyball was or how to play it. I didn’t know how to set, receive the ball, or anything even close. Some of the coaches even told me that I wouldn’t become a volleyball player because I was a little overweight.

The only person that thought that I could actually play, and become a decent player at that, was the ball boy. He had been with the club for 35 years and had seen numerous players develop. He told me that I had the potential to make it.

After a season or two with the team, I fell in love with volleyball. It became all I could think about. I started working hard on losing some weight and developing my skills. I began to love the game because of what a challenge it is, and the fact that it requires a lot of intelligence. In other sports, like basketball or football, you use your hands or feet to control the ball, in volleyball, on the other hand, you need the skill and technique to control the ball with a single touch. You need to estimate the distance and height of the pass to your teammate with one touch, and even when spiking, you must be able

Adnan Kamal

to quickly adjust to the play. All of the thought and concentration that goes into the game really made me love it!

At 16 I began practicing with the first team in Kazma, which helped me develop immensely, and a year later I started playing games locally, regionally, and was even traveling to training camps as well. I have been playing for Kazma’s first team for 4 years now, but throughout all of that time, this season has been my best by far.

13

S e a s o n 2016-2017

We are in first place for the season so far, and that’s all thanks to our team’s hard work and pre-season training camp in Serbia. We were able to practice twice a day and play friendly matches against teams that play in the UEFA Champions League. We were very prepared after Serbia so coming back to the Kuwaiti league t didn’t feel like much of a challenge at all. It’s not because we don’t have good players and teams in Kuwait,

“I believe that our team has what it takes to win the league and all t h r e e c o m p e t i t i o n s . O u r p e r f o r m a n c e s t h i s s e a s o n h av e p rov e n t h at w e a r e at a m u c h h i g h e r l e v e l t h a n o u r c o m p e t i t i o n .” but playing against teams that compete in the UEFA Champions League is simply another level of sport.

We have a very organized and cohesive team which is what makes us unique and difficult to play against. We win most of our games as a result of our teamwork and not individual skills, meanwhile, other teams may have better individual players than we do. If you look at other clubs like Kuwait SC, on paper they may seem like a much stronger team than us, but they lack the synergy that we have.

Additionally, our coach knows how to use each and every player on our team and

Courtesy of Bdour Al Ruwaished

gives every player the confidence to succeed. For example, this season we were losing a set and the other team was on their last point. We had the serve, and the coach looked at me and instructed me to play a powerful jump serve, which was a pretty risky move. I did and it was an ace! He trusted that I wouldn’t miss the serve and that gave us the confidence to carry on and win the game.

I believe that our team has what it takes to win the league and all three competitions. Our performances this season have proven that we are at a much higher level than our competition. We were able to beat Al Arabi 3-2 this season with our

14

second string. Having said all that, we still take every game seriously and know that we have to give it our best at every game if we want to succeed.

Career team

w i t h n at i o n a l

Being one of the youngest players on the team has not been a problem for me during my career with the national team, in fact, I’ve been given a lot of opportunities to progress. I first got called up for the team when I was 12 years old and played for the national junior team at the time. As time progressed I went on to represent Kuwait on the youth and

second youngest player on the team. We faced a difficult set of teams, like Iran, who are world class and have superstars on their amidst their players.

Unfortunately, now our national team is banned from competing in any tournament, and as a result, we have become very limited. We are restricted to our domestic league and local players, meanwhile, other countries in the region are able to develop and grow because they participate in regional and continental competitions. In the meantime, we are just watching.

Achievements

My best achievement with the club was winning the league last year (2015-2016).

We had a pretty long, tough season, as it was the first of its kind. We ended up playing Al Qadsia and Kuwait SC 3 times.

It was so long that it felt like we had played two leagues not just one, and our team suffered several injuries because of how exhausting it was. In the end, though, winning made it all worthwhile.

As for my best personal achievement, it’s when I was called up in 2015 to play as a starter for Kuwait’s national first team. It was one of my proudest moments in my life; it’s such an honor to represent your country in something you love.

Role

model and

ambition

“I t was one of my proudest moments in life ; it ’ s such an honor to represent your country in something you love .” first team, always as a starter, regardless of my age. By 15, I was the captain of the youth team.

Despite the opportunities I’ve had with the national team, I have been quite unlucky while actually playing. I always

Courtesy of Bdour Al Ruwaished

get injured by the second game and would be out for the rest of tournament.

Last year was a change for me, I was lucky and didn’t get injured at all. We played in the Asian Cup and although we didn’t achieve anything with the national team, I stood out despite being the

15

I would say that my role model in volleyball is the Serbian national team player Aleksandar Atanasijević, who plays in the same position that I play in. He is an outstanding player and I learn a lot from just watching him play. Our fitness coach is Serbian and was invited to play with the Serbian national team. He got me a signed jersey from Atanasijević and it is definitely one of my most cherished souvenirs.

As for what I would like to do after college, I still have one year left to graduate.

I’m currently studying accounting at the American University in the Middle East (AUM) and post graduation, I hope to join the military.”

The SilverAir Sock ENGINEERED F O R P E RF O RMA NCE DESIGNE D W ITH S O U L

YATHL ETICS.COM 10

THE MOMENT

10

Abdullah Dawoud Abdullah Dawoud of Kuwait in action during the Beach Flag Football Kuwait and Thailand during the 2014 Asian Beach Games at Saphan Hin on November 14, 2014 in Thailand.

Courtesy of Smileimage9

10

GRILLING SESSION

MP’s file grilling over sports ban T H E M I N I S T E R O F I N F O R M AT I O N & M I N I S T E R O F S TAT E O F YO U T H A F FA I R S FACE A GRILLING SESSION

T

hree opposition lawmakers carried out their threat and filed to grill Minister of Information and Youth Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud Al-Sabah for allegedly failing to do enough to end an international ban on Kuwaiti sports.

The lawmakers - Waleed Al-Tabtabaei, Al-Humaidi Al-Subaei, and Abdulwahab Al-Babtain. The grilling blamed the minister for playing a key role in triggering the international suspension on Kuwaiti sports by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), world football body FIFA and several other federations. They also charged him with failing to take the necessary and appropriate steps demanded by IOC and FIFA to end the suspension, which ultimately barred Kuwait from taking part in the qualifiers for the 2019 Asian Cup last week. The lawmakers claimed that the minister has refused to implement requirements and standards demanded by the international sports organizations, which have maintained the ban. “The minister did not take the necessary measures to resolve the sports crisis in Kuwait and lift the suspension despite the repeated ultimatums that were given to him,” the grilling said. “The minister has caused to deprive a generation of external sports participations,” it added.

Courtesy of alkuwaityah.com

IOC, FIFA and several international sports federations suspended Kuwaiti sports bodies in Oct 2015 over alleged government interference in sports.

Sheikh Salman and other sports dignitaries had directly accused Kuwaitis with leading positions in international

“The minister did not take the necessary measures to resolve the sports crisis in Kuwait and lift the suspension despite the repeated ultimatums that were given to him... The minister has caused to deprive a generation from external sports participations.” sports and prominent figures leading Kuwaiti sports bodies of orchestrating the suspension, which they described as illegal. The government introduced

19

www.kuwaittimes.net

several legislative amendments including a 2016 law that complicated the suspension crisis. Sheikh Salman implemented the law in August by dissolving the Kuwait Olympic Committee, Kuwait Football Association and several sports federations over alleged misappropriation of public funds and administrative violations. But with the election of the new Assembly in November, the picture has partially changed. Opposition MPs pressured the minister and the government to accept to change the controversial laws to be compatible with the Olympic Charter and to write to the IOC and FIFA requesting a temporary lifting of the ban until the law has been amended. Both the IOC and FIFA rejected Kuwait’s request.

They questioned the minister about enacting those legislations without consulting the IOC, and then later compounded the situation by dissolving local sports bodies recognized by international sports organizations. The grilling also accused the minister of squandering public funds and not taking any measure to stop it at the youth and information ministries and at the public sports authority. It also accused the minister of committing several administrative violations in several appointments in the information ministry.

Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem said the grilling will be placed on the agenda of the Jan 31 session and if the minister wants to delay the debate, he has to seek approval from the Assembly.

The debate of the grilling could lead to a vote of no-confidence, which will lead to the minister’s dismissal if approved by half of the Assembly’s 50 elected members.

Courtesy of watanmedia.seyasi.com

20

IN THE WORKS

10

In the works Olympic Committee member talks to Four teen about her plans for female sports in Kuwait An inter view with Fatema Hayat

A

ppointed by the Amir 5 months ago, Fatema Hayat and her fellow Olympic Committee board members were given no small task when asked to have the sports ban on Kuwait removed while restructuring the

country’s world of sports with a new goal in mind: to produce Olympic athletes.

Within the larger umbrella of the Olympic Committee exist multiple subcommittees, developed to tackle specific issues or topics, such as the Competitive Sports Committee and Women’s Sports Committee. As both a member of the Com-

22

petitive Sports Committee and head of the Women’s Sports Committee, Fatema has been intensely focused on elevating the level of sports in Kuwait.

The Competitive Sports Committee is mainly centered around developing Olympic sports programs in schools

through after-school activities. A joint council made up of representatives from the Ministry of Education, Public Authority for Sports (PAS), and the Kuwait Olympic Committee (KOC) are working to create a comprehensive program to be implemented in the next academic year. Hayat explained that “the base of all sports are schools. That’s where you can produce players from a young age, and then all your work becomes easier.”

The Competitive Sports Committee also works closely with 12 different sports groups, in addition to providing both administrative and financial support.

Fatema says that the greatest accomplishment of the KOC thus far has been sitting down with all the sports committees that fall under their purview.

“Creating an open-door policy for athletes to talk to us has built an unprecedented, effective working relationship between the athletes, their sports committees, and us. Through this new channel of communication, not only have we become a lot more informed about the different needs of our athletes, but we were also able to support our athletes in regional and international competitions.”

Women’s Sports Committee

As for what she’s been up to as the head of the Women’s Sports Committee, she’s been working on solutions to fix the structure of women’s sports across the country. With great dismay, Hayat explains that “unfortunately, women’s sports in Kuwait have always been an afterthought. Everyone talks about the current sports crisis, but of all of that, maybe only 1 percent is concerned with women’s sports.” She goes on to say, “it’s not only our (the Women’s Sports Committee’s) responsibility to elevate women’s sports in Kuwait, it’s everyone’s responsibility! All federations, all clubs, and the country as a whole has to have a serious and effective role in developing women’s sports.”

A Lack of Development

“Athletes today need to remember that they are role models for the younger generations and their role is more than just practicing their sport.”

Getty Images | Laurent Fievet

23

For the past 22 years, Fatema Hayat has been actively involved in women’s sports.

Speaking from experience, she explains that “women’s sports in Kuwait have not seen much development for several reasons. The current structure is one of the main reasons for the lack of development. Kuwait is one of the only countries in the world that has a committee in charge of organizing sports for an entire gender.” In other countries, every sport is organized by a federation that governs all aspects of the sport for both male and women’s athletes. For example, the football federation organizes both the men’s league and women’s league, men’s and women’s national team, and so on. The head of the Women’s Sports Committee continued to describe the issue, saying “as a result, we have started working with several federations to establish a women’s committee within each federation and reshape the structure. The Kuwait Tennis Federation (KTA) has shown a keen interest in the initiative and will soon follow the footsteps of other groups, like the Football Federation (KFA), Squash Federation (KSF) and the Kuwait Shooting Sports Club, who already have pre-existing committees for women.” After creating a women’s committee in every federation, the Women’s Sports Committee plans on helping each federation set up a 4-year plan to prepare women’s athletes of all age groups for either the upcoming Asian Games or the next Olympic Games.

“We are asking for women...to step up and join us! Our movement to revitalize women’s sports in Kuwait cannot be accomplished by just four or five people, we need a large team, we need everyone.”

It is not just a problem with the structure of administrations that has led to a lack of development, but a cultural one as well. The nonexistent development can also be attributed to restricting cultural and societal norms associated with the idea of becoming competitive athletes.

Many families in Kuwait still believe that there is no place for women in competitive sports, or that women in sports are nonessential, simply a secondary concern. Hayat has other ideas. She believes in the power and necessity of having athletes of all genders participate in sports, and “will launch a nationwide awareness campaign stressing the importance of women becoming competitive athletes.

It is vital that women in Kuwait under-

Getty Images | Tim de Waele

stand the importance of viewing sports as more than just a hobby. The campaign will target families, both genders, and all ages in hopes of inspiring families to encourage their daughters to become competitive athletes and future heroes.”

Hayat concluded that both the initiative to establish a committee for women in all federations and the awareness campaign go hand in hand. “We not only need to encourage girls to participate in sports, but we need to enhance the existing structure to encourage women’s athletes to become competitive athletes.”

Task Force

As of right now, there is a total of three

24

people that work in the Women’s Sports Committee, though Hayat explains that the team will inevitably grow. “I have been working on creating the general guidelines that will build an effective and efficient system, one that can create a serious and healthy environment for competitive women’s athletes.” She adds “However, as I have stated in our last open discussion with women’s athletes, the work that we are doing calls for everyone to contribute and get involved.

We are asking for women currently in sports, as well as previous athletes, who are willing to dedicate the time and energy, to step up and join us! Our movement to revitalize women’s sports in Kuwait cannot be accomplished by

“At the end of the day, it’s all about passion. Yes, sports in Kuwait are struggling, yes they are going through difficult times, but it’s the passion in you that drives you to bring change to your sport and your country.” just four or five people, we need a large team, we need everyone we can get!”

Preparing for the Summer Olympics 2024

One of the most promising projects of the Women’s Sports Committee is their plan to create a women’s Olympic football team that will qualify for the Summer Olympics 2024. Working alongside the women’s committee in the KFA, a plan has been set in place to hire an international head coach in the coming weeks to kick start the project. Hayat explains that “once the head coach is hired, we will focus on the women’s first team but more importantly, our attention will be on creating an under 14 team.”

Getty Images | Tim de Waele

Piece of advice

Athletes today need to remember that they are role models for the younger generations and their role is more than just practicing their sport. Their role is to spread awareness about their sport and be role models to the younger generations through guiding them to a better future. At the end of the day, it’s all about passion. Yes, sports in Kuwait are struggling, yes they are going through difficult times, but it’s the passion in you that drives you to bring change to your sport and your country. If we look at our women’s cyclists, they have so many obstacles in their way yet it is their passion that keeps them going. You must sacrifice; every cent that those women’s

25

cyclists make from competing in races gets spent on their training camps, and they’re getting ahead for it. I am not saying we should not expect government support, but if anyone wants to make it, they will no matter the struggle. Change never comes by coincidence or from the skies. You have to work hard and keep fighting. Voice your concerns, speak up and let the media, parliament, and everyone hear your voice. That’s how you achieve results.

EAT C R G EPIC AD

DO S

N

DRIN GO O

TURE

EE FF

ON E OD O

KAN ME G V O

COMING SOON... #FINDTHEWILD. 10

@WILD.KWT

THE MOMENT

10

Abdullah Al Mezayen Abdullah Kh Kh H M Almezayen of Kuwait celebrates after winning the Squash Men’s Individual Final against Ghosal Saurav of India during day four of the 2014 Asian Games at Yeorumul Squash Courts on September 23, 2014 in Incheon, South Korea.

Getty Images | Atsushi Tomura

10

HIGHLIGHT

Courtesy of Pixelbliss

29

HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT THE R I G H T WAY faisal al shawa the founder of believe nutrition

W

hether you are a competitive or recreational athlete, body composition is always a priority. Particularly, an increase in muscle and a decrease in body fat seem to be everyone’s desire – and I don’t blame them. It’s what I work for as well.

Some people are blessed with genes which provide them with a lean physique, while others require more work and effort to reach their desired goals.

Indeed, weight loss is a tedious process which needs to be tackled in the correct manner to see long-lasting results.

Weight loss is achieved via a culmination of factors rather than simply burning more calories than you consume. Having said that, let’s take a look at alternative strategies to optimally lose weight without hindering your health and exercise performance.

1

Avoid severe calorie

. restriction

I know it’s tempting to lose weight quickly, especially if summer is around the corner. Resist the temptation, though, and lose weight the proper way. Severely restricting calories, in combination with exercising every day, will only impair your

2

3

metabolism and slow the weight loss process. By putting yourself in a constant calorie deficit, you’ll be losing weight from muscle rather than fat. Muscle is not the source we want to be losing weight from!

Consume low-calorie

. foods

Energy dense foods are those of high-calories. When on the pursuit of weight loss, make sure to consume foods low in energy (or calories). Eat foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes/beans and lean meats. Such foods, which are high in fiber, protein, and water, will increase satiety and allow you to consume less food throughout the day, while also ensuring appropriate intake of essential nutrients.

Avoid high-calorie

. beverages

Avoid the extra consumption of calories by sticking to water and other low-calories beverages, such as coconut water. For coffee and tea lovers, don’t add extra sugar to your drink nor opt for the choices which contain cream and other additives (i.e. frappuccino).

Avoid fruit juices as much as pos-

30

4

sible (full of sugar), or at least limit them to breakfast time. Above all, completely eliminate soft drinks.

. Increase protein intake

Last, but certainly not least, it’s important to increase protein intake during your weight loss journey. As I already mentioned, weight loss may incur more from a loss of muscle rather than fat. To ensure you are losing weight from an appropriate source, increase your protein intake to preserve muscle and facilitate a greater weight loss from fat. Include sources of lean meats and low-fat dairies for a higher daily protein intake.

As a final piece of advice, I suggest you decrease your calorie intake by 500-700 kcal/day to ensure proper weight loss and avoid the potential for weight regain. This strategy has been shown in the literature to be an effective and healthy way to lose weight and sufficient enough not to be detrimental to exercise performance and energy levels.

Be healthy but also be smart when it comes to weight loss.

UAAK

ACK OUTCL ASS RIVALS ACK crowned champions of UAAK Basketball League

K

UWAIT CITY, Dec 18:

The Australian College of Kuwait (ACK) won the 2016 University Athletics Association of Kuwait (UAAK) Basketball League’s Championship Cup outperforming other university teams, including the American University of the Middle East (AUM), Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST), the American University of Kuwait (AUK), and the Arab Open University (AOU).

Courtesy of The Australian College of Kuwait

The UAAK tournament is known for its competitive atmosphere, whereby university teams face each other in a grueling schedule over several months, with the leader crowned Champion and holder of the cup until the following season.

“ We are very proud of all our athletes and wishing them all the best in their academic and non-academic endeavors.”

31

On this victorious occasion, the Student Activities and Recreational Center’s Manager, Mr. Basel Dana, stated: “I would like to congratulate our students on the Championship! It’s very rewarding after all their hard work and efforts. We are very proud of all our athletes and wishing them all the best in their academic and non-academic endeavors.”

ACK’s Basketball team will now begin preparations for the next season, with the keen desire to retain the Championship and keep the cup on ACK’s campus.

References: arabtimesonline.com

18

THE EVENT

Red Bull Reign Re d B u l l Re i g n ’s 3 - O n - 3 B a s ke t b a l l To u r n a m e n t o n Fe b r u a r y 1 5 t h - 1 7 t h

I

n continuation with Red Bull’s habit of staging offbeat sports events, Red Bull Reign invites Kuwait’s top basketball players to compete in the ultimate 3-on-3 battle, testing teams’ endurance, skills, teamwork, and ability to own their court while trying to accumulate the most points possible to outlast their opponents.

Besides other qualifiers happening in 14 other countries this year, the local qualifiers will take place this month, on February 15th and 16th in Marina Crescent Basketball Courts and concluding with the finals at the same location on February 17th, in partnership with Acqua Eva, GoPro and Marina World.

Unlike most 3-on-3 tournaments, Red Bull Reign will push teams to their utter physical and mental limits. The rules of the high endurance, offense-driven tournament are simple: the teams that score the overall points in each round will advance and continue to compete in the final.

The game will be played on a court with one basket. Each team shall consist of

Courtesy of Red Bull

33

three players and one substitute, with no coach on the playground. The game officials will consist of one or two referees and time/score keepers. Both teams shall warm-up simultaneously prior to the game and a coin flip shall determine which team gets the first possession.

will be stopped in the last minute. The clock will also stop during dead ball situations and free throws, only restarting after the exchange of the ball is completed. However, the first team to score 21 points or more wins the game even if it happens before the end of the time.

Every shot inside the arc will be awarded one point while every shot behind the arc will count for two points. Accordingly, every successful free throw will be awarded one point.

The regular playing time during the first round will be 8 minutes and 10 during the second round, at which the game

The Red Bull Reign final champions will earn the chance to compete in the 3Ă—3 World Final this held in Washington, USA in September 2017.

Courtesy of Red Bull

Each qualifier will host 24 teams, players 16 and above can submit an application for their team of four players to

34

compete during the qualifying competitions in Kuwait. The qualifiers will be held on two consecutive days at Marina Crescent Basketball courts on 15 and 16 February.

For more information, visit: www.redbull. com/reignkw or call: 67765544

THE EVENT

The North Face Challenge Race T h e 1 7 k m Tr i a l R u n v. 5 is more than a race

which is located north of the Kuwaiti Bay. It offers 17 kilometers of trail running, with moments on varying topographical features.

T

he North Face Challenge 17KM Trail Run should be seen as more than a race. It is an extraordinary challenge that allows you to test, and exceed, your personal limits - both physically and mentally.

The race is strategically designed to guide all competitors across the finish line, and even though completing the race is achievable, it stands as a challenge to competitors of all levels. The race will be held in the middle of one of Kuwait’s largest deserts, Al-Mutla’a,

Courtesy of SanteSport

RACE SCHEDULE Briefing: 8:30am Race Start: 9:00am Cut Off time: 11:45am Ceremony: 11:00am Date: 4th of February 2016

LAST YEAR:

MEN: 1st. Maali Babiker (214) 1:20:47 2nd. Abdullah Alfailakawi (109) 1:23:04 3rd. Omar Alfailakawi (259) 1:23:46 WOMEN: 1st. Renata Hoppova 1:44:07 2nd. Abigail Bartholomew 1:54:55

For more information, visit: www.events. pro-vision.com/event/detail/42

35

3rd. Maryam Alfailakawy 2:04:15

References: www.events.pro-vision.com

10

THE GYM

(SPONSORED)

FLARE FITNESS An inter view with Saleh Al Enizi

T

aking up the responsibility of elevating fitness in the country Flare has inspired the youth of Kuwait and transformed their lives. Fourteen has spoken to Saleh Al Enizi one of Flare’s many success stories and asked him about his experience with Flare.

Q:

When did you first join Flare Fitness?

I joined around two years ago - in April of 2015.

Courtesy of Flare Fitness

37

Q:

What was your experience with Flare Fitness and has it helped you reach your athletic goals?

Flare fitness has changed my life, they’ve helped me achieve my athletic goals and more! Flare completely reshaped my mentality in regards to how I go about my day to day life and has made me a much stronger and healthier person. They’ve helped me to develop the ability to play all kinds of sports, by preparing me to compete in marathons and triathlons.

Q:

How has your life changed since joining Flare Fitness?

My lifestyle has taken a turn for the better since I joined Flare! I’ve started paying attention to my meals and the

Courtesy of Flare Fitness

“The reason I didn’t move on to another gym is because of the community and the unique atmosphere at Flare. I feel so comfortable here, and my fitness is improving every day.

I simply love coming here...” kind of food that I consume. I even have a much healthier sleeping pattern as a result of my new lifestyle.

The best thing about Flare, though, is the community. The coaches at Flare treat their members like friends, which

38

develops a strong bond between the members. We have become a strong and reliable support system for each other, motivating and encouraging one another during workouts and competitions.

Q:

What piece of advice do you have for anyone that is looking to join a gym?

I’d tell everyone to go join Flare Fitness right away! You will love your workouts, the atmosphere, and they’ll introduce you to a healthier life. The reason I didn’t move on to another gym is because of the community and the unique atmosphere at Flare. I feel so comfortable here, and my fitness is improving every day. I simply love coming here every day and I’m sure you will too.