KUWAIT CITY, Oct 30: Several members of our national handball team have made an appeal to the Minister of State for Youth Affairs, the Public Authority for Sports, and the Kuwaiti Olympic Committee to intervene in resolving a pressing issue. This concerns the deduction of their salaries, allowances, and bonuses by their employers, even when they are on official missions representing Kuwait in various capacities on the international stage, including Arab, Asian, or global tournaments.

The players are experiencing a frustrating situation, as their allowances and bonuses are being deducted while they participate with the national team during official missions, despite the existence of Law No. (87) of 2017 pertaining to sports and Resolution No. (2) of 2022 regulating special leaves and sabbaticals in sports. These laws were established to ensure that the players' income remains intact during these missions, considering them as official representations of Kuwait abroad.

However, it has come to light that some government entities are not adhering to these legal provisions, causing both financial and psychological distress to the players. This situation leaves the players feeling uncertain and disheartened while representing Kuwait on the global stage.

The players are calling for a resolution to this issue and the creation of a supportive framework to safeguard their income from their employers. This, they believe, will have a positive impact on their performance levels when they participate with national teams and clubs in international tournaments.

Three members of our top national handball team have faced these challenges, including their participation in the 19th Asian Games in China, where they secured a remarkable third place and the bronze medal after a 17-year absence. This achievement marked a significant comeback for Kuwait in the sport, earning the country a prominent position. Subsequently, they represented Kuwait in the Asian qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympics, recently held in Qatar. However, these players were dismayed to find their allowances and bonuses deducted from their salaries during this period, despite their official representation of Kuwait and their valid sporting licenses from the General Sports Authority. One player even had to withdraw from participating in the "Assad" due to the significant deductions he faced from his employer.

Additionally, one national team player has faced a five-year delay in promotions due to his foreign participation, which has cost him 5,000 dinars.

As Politics addresses this issue, it echoes the players' call to halt this injustice and urges ministries and government institutions to abide by the official laws set by the General Authority for Sports, especially the sports sabbatical laws, which are the rightful entitlement of the players. This will help secure their financial and moral rights in their relationships with their employers.