Kuwait City: Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), participated in the 37th meeting of Their Highnesses, Excellencies, and Honours, the Presidents of Olympic Committees in the GCC countries, held in the State of Kuwait. The meeting was chaired by Shaikh Fahad Nasser Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, President of the Kuwait Olympic Committee and President of the current session, with the participation of the Presidents of Olympic Committees from the Council countries.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Albudaiwi said that observers of the sports sector in the GCC countries will notice the rise and development in the levels and numbers of Olympic athletes from the Council countries, along with a series of achievements at the regional and international levels witnessed by sports in the GCC countries. He highlighted that this progress is under the patronage and follow-up of the leaders of the Council countries, and is a result of the efforts exerted by the esteemed Olympic committees.
At the beginning of his speech, the Secretary General extended his thanks and gratitude to Shaikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait, for hosting the 37th meeting and for the support provided to ensure the success of the GCC's work. He also highlighted the support given to joint Gulf action by the Amir and the leaders of the Council countries across all fields.
He expressed further thanks to Shaikh Fahad Nasser Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah for the hospitality and preparation of the meeting. He stated that the Council countries have given attention to the sports sector as a vital path for human development, recognising its importance in building a healthy and active society, enhancing the spirit of fair competition and national belonging, and strengthening the Gulf presence at regional and international sporting events.
He noted significant developments in sports infrastructure investment within the Council countries, estimated at more than $260 billion. He indicated that the Committee of Their Highnesses, Excellencies, and Honours, the Presidents of Olympic Committees in the Council countries, works to establish sport as a vital sector contributing to economic and social development and as a field that develops bonds among peoples and builds bridges of communication between cultures. This is achieved by supporting programmes and initiatives that enhance sport as a unifying force for the peoples of the Gulf, hosting joint championships, exchanging expertise, and supporting young athletes.
He concluded by stating that ambitions extend beyond the current achievements. Through the Committee, the aim is to expand cooperation, build new generations of Gulf athletes capable of competing regionally and internationally, and encourage youth participation in the future of the sports industry. The GCC, through its specialised committees, will continue to support and coordinate joint Gulf initiatives and projects in the sports field to enhance collective presence and highlight the unified Gulf identity. He expressed hope that the meeting would yield practical outcomes contributing to sports integration, supporting young Gulf talents, and opening new prospects for integration to achieve common goals and reflect the image of the Council countries.