The Kuwait Olympic Committee met on June 19, 2026, with national federations and clubs to review domestic sports amid regional developments in the Gulf as the Kuwait Athletics Federation canceled all remaining championships for the season. Sheikh Fahad Al-Nasser, president of the Kuwait Olympic Committee, and Dr. Tarek Al-Jalahma, minister of state for youth and sports affairs, attended the gathering that focused on athlete safety, potential postponements to competitions and strengthened coordination with government bodies. The session followed a preparatory meeting of sports federations the previous day and came against the backdrop of a suspension of all national sports activities instituted on Feb. 28.
Arab Times reported that discussions aimed to explore continuation of activities while protecting athletes, technical staff, administrators, medical teams and spectators, with official recommendations expected shortly. The committee had suspended all national sports activities and competitions from Feb. 28 until further notice, meaning this season’s events may be postponed or canceled entirely. Federations coordinated positions and prepared proposals during their Thursday session for presentation to the ministry.
The Kuwait Athletics Federation issued Circular No. 2 announcing the cancellation, following Board Decision No. 28 from an emergency meeting and in line with Public Authority for Sports directives to halt training sessions. The federation stated that the decision prioritizes the safety of athletes, medical staff, administrators and technical teams. This action reflects the broader pause applied across Kuwaiti sports disciplines.
A joint committee has assessed conditions for potential resumption, though the suspension has been extended due to ongoing exceptional circumstances. Inside the Games reported that Al-Jalahma suspended activities on Feb. 28 as a preventive measure to protect players and staff. KUNA reported on May 6 that the committee planned to resume local championships with spectators, yet subsequent extensions indicate that weekly safety reviews continue.
Kuwait’s Olympic movement previously faced an International Olympic Committee suspension from 2015 to 2019 linked to sports law concerns over autonomy. Sport Resolutions noted that the IOC fully lifted the ban in July 2019 after reforms and a agreed roadmap, allowing athletes to compete under the Kuwaiti flag. Al-Nasser was elected committee president in 2019 following the reinstatement.
The Public Authority for Sports has maintained a central role in issuing halt orders that individual federations have followed. Multiple national bodies participated in the June 19 meeting to align on unified proposals for the ministry. Further details on specific event adjustments are anticipated from the Kuwait Olympic Committee once deliberations conclude.
