By Abdellatif Sharaa
KUWAIT: President of Kuwait and Arab Tennis Federations Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah received honorary President of Kuwait Disabled Sports Club Sheikha Sheikha Al-Abdullah Al-Khalifa Al-Sabah, Chairman of Kuwait Paralympic Committee Nasser Al-Ajmi, Secretary General of the Paralympic Committee Sharifa Al-Ghanem and Chairman of Al-Irada Disabled Club Duaij Al-Hajiri. Both sides discussed cooperation and preparations to launch wheelchair tennis in Kuwait at Sheikh Jaber Al-Abdallah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah International Tennis complex in cooperation with Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait.
This move comes out of KTF board's belief in the importance of allowing Paralympic athletes to practice wheelchair tennis, as they have special capabilities and a distinguished sports history, making continental and international achievements in the name of Kuwait. Wheelchair tennis is one of the fastest spreading game around the world, and it was introduced in the Paralympics in 1992, and in the Grand Slams in 2007. It also has a series of international championships that include more than 160 tournaments held in 40 countries. Kuwait is set to become the first Arab country to practice the wheelchair tennis.
Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber discussed coordination between the two sides in order to prepare and remove all obstacles that face launching the game as soon as possible. Further details will be announced during a press conference to be held at a later date with the participation of KTF, Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait and Kuwait Paralympic Committee.