Hussain Al-Musallam receiving the President of the Olympic Council of Asia Singh.

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 12: The President of the Olympic Council of Asia, Raja Randhir Singh, expressed gratitude to the State of Kuwait for the warm reception he received during his visit.

He thanked His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and the Crown Prince His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah for their hospitality. Singh noted that he has visited Kuwait several times since his first visit in 1983, shortly after the Olympic Council moved its headquarters from India to Kuwait in 1982. His visits continued until they were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He expressed appreciation for Kuwait’s agreement to continue hosting the Olympic Council of Asia’s headquarters, which has been based in the country for 42 years. This decision was unanimously approved by the General Assembly of the Council, comprising 45 member countries, during their meeting on May 11, 2024. OCA President emphasized that Kuwait’s support over the past four decades has been instrumental in strengthening unity and development within the Asian Olympic movement.

This was reflected in the recent meetings held in Bangkok and New Delhi, as well as in the participation of Asian countries in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. He highlighted that OCA was established in 1913 in Manila to promote sports and youth development across Asia, noting that sports can play a significant role in enhancing diplomatic relations between nations through “sports diplomacy.”

This concept uses sporting events to foster understanding and cooperation among Asian peoples. Singh also expressed gratitude to the Crown Prince for hosting OCA, hoping for further cooperation in the future, with plans for the General Assembly meeting to be held in Kuwait in 2025.