Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al-Hmoud Al-Sabah

KUWAIT: Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah said yesterday that Kuwait would participate in sports events only when its flag was raised.

Speaking to reporters following a National Assembly session, Sheikh Salman Sabah wondered: "Could we, Kuwaitis, accept participation in tournaments and championships that don't respect our flag and State?"

The minister emphasized that this issue is of paramount significance to the Public Authority for Sports (PAS). He added that efforts were being exerted to reform and restructure the sports situation in general in order to restore Kuwait's previous prestigious position and to regain its sports role.

"We are acting in line with commitments issued through Legislation No 26/2012 regarding non-interference in administrative and technical matters.  Kuwait's legal position in this regard is very clear," he said.

Asked about the single-vote mechanism for sports clubs' elections, which was recommended by the parliamentary youth and sports committee, the minister said: "It's just parliamentary jurisprudence, but, more importantly, we seek to reorganize the sports situation."

Asked if the FIFA's ban on Kuwait could be lifted, paving the way for Kuwait to participate in World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers, Sheikh Salman said: "The ball is now in the court of those who sought to suspend the sports activity. They are the only persons who can lift the suspension." He concluded by reiterating the Kuwaiti government's refusal to joint sports events under the umbrella of the Olympic flag.

E-media bill

In other news, Sheikh Salman delivered the government's view on the e-media draft law to the Education, Culture and Guidance Affairs Committee at the National Assembly. Sheikh Salman explained to the committee's members the philosophy behind the bill as well as the goals, and how it will bridge a gap in the regulation of Kuwait's national media, the minister said in a press statement.

In addition, the new bill is considered a support to the Audio-Visual Media, and Printing and Publishing Laws, he added. During the meeting, Sheikh Salman listened to remarks offered by committee members on their relevant efforts, noting that all share the same trench to serve Kuwait and back efforts to boost the role of national media.

Parliamentary immunity

Separately, the parliamentary legal and legislative affairs committee has delayed taking a decision on the prosecution's request that MP Saleh Ashour be stripped of his parliamentary immunity. The commission rapporteur, Ahmad Al-Qudaibi, said it decided to adjourn taking the decision due MP Ashour's request, pending his attendance of the next committee meeting. Meanwhile, it recommended lifting MP Nabil Al-Fadhl's immunity but rejected such measure against MP Abdullah Al-Maayouf.

Al-Qudaibi told reporters after a committee meeting held at the parliament headquarters that it recommended extending the pre-trial detention duration in criminal cases. It also tackled the issue of the five percent commission, to be levied on expatriates' remittances. - KUNA