By Nick Butler

Sheikh Talah is also President of the Kuwait Football Association ©Getty ImagesJanuary 6 - The Kuwait Olympic Committee (KOC) have elected Talal Fahad Al Sabah for as chairman, while Judo Union of Asia President Obaid al-Enezi has been named secretary general.


Sheikh Talal is also President of the Kuwait Football Association and the brother of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) who leads both the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC).

Speaking after his election victory, Sheikh Talal voiced his keenness on preserving the Olympic Charter, primarily boosting democracy, preventing foreign interference and ensuring that the General Assembly is the supreme authority of the organisation.

He insisted how the KOC "will present studies and reports for the Government authorities so they will cooperate with us," while he called on members to "join hands to address all challenges coupled with the spread of sport culture."

This relates to continuing the improvements enjoyed since the organisation was suspended by the IOC in January 2010 because of alleged political interference by the Government.

Fehaid Aldeehani celebrates winning a bronze medal for Kuwait in the men's shooting during London 2012 ©Getty ImagesFehaid Aldeehani celebrates winning a bronze medal for Kuwait in the men's shooting during London 2012...he has won both of Kuwait's all time Olympic medals ©Getty Images








The elections, held during a General Assembly, was attended by IOC observer Haidar Farman to ensure good electoral standards, while 11 people were also elected as members of the KOC Board.

These included figures associated with various sports, including handball through Jassem Thiab, volleyball through Kamal Al-Ayyoubi and basketball courtesy of Mohammad Thallab.

Combat sports were also represented through fencing's Ali Yusuf, karate's Fahad Al-Hamlan, and Dekheel Al-Adwani who represents both boxing and weightlifting.

The numbers were made up by Sheikh Talal Mohammad Al-Sabah from  table tennis; Dr. Fuad Al-Falah from swimming; Khaled Al-Shemmeri from athletics; Jassem Al-Huwaitan from  tennis and Nawaf Al-Duweesh from gymnastics. 

The General Assembly also approved appointment of four additional members in Dr Majeed Al-Musawi, Abdulwahed Khalil, Mubarak Al-Meseb and Mahmoud Abul.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
January 2010: Kuwait suspended by IOC