ARABIAN TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Kuwait and India have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of sports, with particular emphasis on football, during a high-level meeting held at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Kuwait’s Ambassador to India, Meshal Mustafa Al-Shamali, met with Kalyan Chaubey, President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), for extensive discussions on expanding sporting ties between the two friendly countries.
The meeting underscored the strategic importance of implementing the Executive Programme for Cooperation in the Field of Sports for the period 2025–2028, signed between Kuwait and India. The programme represents a significant step in consolidating the longstanding relations between the two nations and follows the historic visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Kuwait in December 2024.
The framework envisages extensive exchanges of expertise and institutional visits, participation in sporting programmes and projects, and closer cooperation in sports medicine and sports science management. It also seeks to deepen cultural understanding and people-to-people relations through sporting initiatives.
During the discussions, both sides explored the possibility of organising friendly matches involving national teams across different age categories, as well as men’s and women’s teams and sports clubs from both countries. The two sides also discussed opportunities for exchanges involving coaches and referees, alongside avenues for players from both countries to pursue professional opportunities.
Particular attention was devoted to strengthening youth development programmes and football academies. The establishment of joint training camps was also discussed as a means of facilitating the exchange of technical expertise and modern football practices. Such initiatives are expected to contribute to the development of football at both grassroots and professional levels.
Ambassador Al-Shamali praised the deep-rooted and historic relations between Kuwait and India, noting that bilateral ties have evolved into a strategic partnership. He emphasised the pivotal role of sport as a bridge capable of strengthening cultural and popular bonds between the two peoples. He particularly highlighted the significant contribution of the large Indian community residing in Kuwait to the enduring friendship between the two nations.
For his part, AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey welcomed the proposed cooperation and expressed the federation’s readiness to work with its Kuwaiti counterparts on practical mechanisms for implementing joint initiatives. He stressed that sustained institutional cooperation could contribute substantially to improving the technical standards and overall development of football in both countries.
