Al-Daihani receives a hero’s welcome

Al-Daihani speaking to the media while Sheikh Talal Al-Fahad listens.

KUWAIT: The Information Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdallah Al-Sabah, Communications Minister and Social Affairs and Labor Minister Salem Al- Athaina, President of the Asian and Kuwait Shooting Federations Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, President of Kuwait Football Association Sheikh Talal Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, Chairman of Public Authority for Youth and Sports Maj Gen (ret) Faisal Al-Jazzaf along side with a large crowd were at the Kuwait International Airport yesterday to welcome Kuwait’s Olympic hero Fuhaid Al-Daihani, who won Kuwait’s second Olympic medal at the London 2012 Olympics on Monday 6th August 2012.

Al-Daihani who was overwhelmed with the reception said that the victory raised Kuwait flag in London. He said he will present the medal to HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad, HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad, HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak and the people of Kuwait. Al-Daihani said he was satisfied seeing people so happy with this victory, adding that he will always do his best for his country.

Meanwhile, the Communications and Social Affairs and Labor Minister Salem Al-Athaina congratulated the Amir, the Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Kuwaitis for this achievement which allowed the flying of Kuwait flag by one of the Kuwaiti heroes. He expressed confidence that Kuwait athletes will do better in the next Olympics. He said Kuwait government will keep on supporting sports through the Social Affairs Ministry and PAYS as well as the Olympic Committee.

“It was a great feeling to see Kuwait’s flag during the parade and it was so good that Fuhaid carried the flag,” Minister Athaina said. Sheikh Talal Al-Fahad congratulated the Amir for this achievement, following his initiative that made it possible for the athletes to compete under Kuwait’s flag. He said that the Martyr’s Sons has decided to reward Fuhaid with a sum of $100,000 for his achievement.

Information Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah said Fuhaid’s achievement has a special meaning after the suspension on Kuwait sports was lifted by OIC. “Fuhaid worked so hard despite the malfunction in his gun during the double trap event and despite all the pressures and tensions he was under, he went for the trap competition and won the bronze” the minister added. He said Fuhaid should be recognized for his efforts to overcome all obstacles during his carrier.

Information minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdallah Al-Mubarak thanked the officials of the Kuwait Shooting Club for their efforts and congratulated Fuhaid. He said that PAYS supports all athletes in all sports. Al-Jazzaf said that PAYS will reward Fuhaid Al-Daihani for two medals, not one, as the one he failed was not his fault. He said the PAYS will launch the project of the ‘Olympic Champion’ in order to encourage athletes to seek the qualification and win during Olympic games.

The President of the Asian and Kuwait Shooting Federations, Vice President of ISSF Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud congratulated the Amir, the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister as well as the Gulf and Arab people for Al-Daihani’s success in London. “We hope that Arab achievements will yield better results during Rio Olympics,” he added.

By Abdellatif Sharaa

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