ShareKUWAIT: Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the 33rd pearl diving trip kicked off on Saturday with the traditional ceremony of ‘Dasha’ at Kuwait Sea Sports Club, with 150 Kuwaiti youngsters, aged between 15-20, aboard four wooden ships that were donated by late Amir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
During the ceremony, the Chairman of the Kuwait Sea Sports Club, Maj Gen Fahad Al-Fahad, emphasized the significance of the diving commemoration trip as a distinguished Gulf event of national importance, noting that the traditional ceremony of ‘Dasha’ stands out as one of the most prominent in preserving and celebrating maritime heritage.
He explained that the diving trip is aimed to foster a spirit of national unity among the youth, encouraging them to embrace the remarkable legacy passed down by their fathers and grandfathers, adding “The trip plays a vital role in reinforcing many ideals. This tradition not only preserves their unity and cohesion but also strengthens their loyalty to their leadership by embodying the spirit of a single family, in addition to being committed to the enduring principles and values upon which the nation was founded, and the authentic customs that align with the teachings of Islam.”
Fahad indicated that the diving trip also emphasizes the depth of the common Gulf ties between the people of GCC in the past and the present, expressing his deep appreciation to the captains, young divers, and their families for their dedication in participating in the trip, despite the challenging weather conditions, including high temperatures and humidity. He also extended his gratitude to all the ministries, agencies, and institutions that support this significant national activity, acknowledging the important role that the media, various ministries, and the Public Authority for Sports play in ensuring that heritage events like this receive the attention they deserve.
The annual tradition that was held by the Heritage Committee at the Kuwait Sea Sports Club started on Saturday morning with the gathering of captains and young divers performing old Kuwait’s maritime tradition, followed by the trip’s general supervisor, Captain Hamed Al-Sayyar, and a number of young divers heading to the honor platform to receive the Kuwaiti flag. Then, the Kuwaiti flag was raised on the mast of a model of a diving ship, accompanied by the playing of the national anthem. Captains and divers headed to their vessels after bidding farewell to their families. Their vessels headed to the Khairan area, where actual diving would be practiced until next Thursday.
