Kuwait steps up drive to become regional hub for sports and youth events
• Kuwait positions itself as a destination for global sports, youth and cultural events; from Premier Padel to AI innovation.
• November program features Six universities, AI hackathon, cycling events, university activities and major exhibitions
• Kuwait seeks to unlock youth potential through expanding sports and cultural calendar; public-private partnership drives Kuwait’s ambition to host major international events
The Kuwait Youth and Sports Season is seeking to strengthen the country’s position as a destination for regional and international sporting championships and events, while offering an integrated program of sports, cultural and youth activities designed to attract participants and visitors from within Kuwait and abroad.
Walid Al-Saqabi, director of the Kuwait Youth and Sports Season project, said the initiative aims to showcase Kuwait’s organizational capabilities, harness the potential of young people and stimulate economic and tourism activity through a diverse calendar of events.
Speaking to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Sunday, Al-Saqabi said the season, launched by the Public Authority for Youth and Sports in strategic partnership with Kuwait Finance House, serves as a national platform bringing together sports, youth and cultural activities. It also promotes cooperation between the public and private sectors, creating opportunities to expand partnerships and strengthen Kuwait’s ability to host major events.
He noted that several events had already been organized as part of the season, including the final of the Challenge of Thirty program, the Inspire Kuwait International Open Roller Race Championship, the Premier Padel Kuwait Major Championship and the Kafu 2026 Forum.
The variety of these activities, he said, reflects the expanding scope of the season, which extends beyond traditional sporting competitions to include digital content creation, youth empowerment and the development of emerging talents and capabilities.
November calendar offers diverse activities
Outlining the program for November, Al-Saqabi said the My Studies exhibition begins on Monday and will continue until November 12, providing opportunities to explore educational prospects.
The Kuwait Hackathon in Artificial Intelligence will take place from November 12 to 14 at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre, offering young people a platform to engage with innovation and demonstrate their capabilities in emerging technologies.
The Make a Move event is scheduled to be held at six universities across Kuwait from November 16 to December 8, while the ABK Tour Kuwait cycling event will take place on November 21 along Arabian Gulf Street, encouraging community participation and promoting physical activity.
The season’s November program will also feature the Nexus exhibition from November 26 to 28 at the Arena, Grand Hyatt Kuwait, followed by the Gulf Bank Marathon on November 28 along Arabian Gulf Street.
Al-Saqabi praised the strong support and continued attention extended by Minister of State for Youth and Sports Affairs Dr. Tariq Al-Jalahma to the season, noting his commitment to following up on its events and initiatives and ensuring their success.
He expressed hope that the season would continue to meet the expectations of different segments of society by offering activities that reflect their interests and encourage greater participation in sports, cultural and youth programs. The initiative, he said, is intended to become a comprehensive platform for creativity and community engagement.
He added that efforts are under way to further expand the season’s calendar by organizing a wider range of activities in cooperation with government bodies, private sector institutions and youth initiative organizers. The objective is to create broader opportunities for showcasing national talent and ensuring the sustainability of sports and youth activities in Kuwait.
Al-Saqabi explained that the season operates through an official accreditation system for organizations and initiatives involved in organizing sports, cultural and youth activities. The system is designed to coordinate efforts, broaden partnerships, attract sponsors and support the long-term sustainability of events while maximizing their social and economic benefits.
He also stressed the importance of connecting the season’s activities with Kuwait’s tourism sector and ensuring that information about upcoming events is readily accessible to the public. He urged interested members of the public to follow the Visit Kuwait platform for details of the season’s calendar and forthcoming activities.
