KIB inaugurates second season of KIB, The Stadium

First-of-its-kind sports initiative in Kuwait

KUWAIT: In an official opening ceremony, the second season of KIB, The Stadium, the leading professional sports championship and the first of its kind in Kuwait, was launched. Set to take place between January 26 and February 17, this year’s event puts a special focus on equestrian sports. Representing a significant leap in local sports initiatives, the championship will host a unique show jumping competition on Marina Beach with the participation of local and international teams for the first time. The championship highlights the importance of sports in Arab societies as a tool for development and a field for creativity. It also serves as a platform to showcase rising local talents and Kuwaiti achievements in the world of sports, especially in equestrianism.

The second season of the championship was inaugurated in the presence of Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Minister of State for Communications Dawood Maarafi; President of Kuwait Olympic Committee Sheikh Fahad Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah; Director General of the Public Authority for Sports Yousef Al-Baidan; President of the Kuwait Equestrian Federation Masoud Hayat; Vice Chairman and CEO of KIB Raed Jawad Bukhamseen; and CEO of Suffix Events Ahmed Al-Majed, in addition to members of KIB’s Board of Directors, Executive Management, and the Bank’s employees.

Speaking about the championship and the opening ceremony, Marwa Marafie, Manager of Marketing and Corporate Communication at KIB, expressed her pride in the successful event and organization of this exceptional sports activity, stating: “KIB, The Stadium reflects our firm commitment to promoting sports and providing an optimal environment to celebrate our Kuwaiti sports talents, especially the younger ones. Our shift this year to equestrian sports reflects the evolution of the event and our readiness to offer a unique experience to equestrian enthusiasts, aligning with our continuous efforts in social responsibility throughout 2024 to support and enhance equestrian sports in Kuwait.”

She added: ”We are excited to launch the second season of the championship. After the great success we achieved last season, we look forward to providing a wonderful and unique experience this year, especially with our focus on equestrian sports. We continue our commitment to maintaining our leading position in supporting the sports sector in Kuwait.” She pointed out that KIB has been preparing for months to present an exceptional and surprising edition of the championship, offering a real opportunity for greater community engagement, whether among athletes or sports enthusiasts.

On his part, Ahmed Al-Majed, the Chief Executive Officer of Suffix Events, the organizing company for the event, said: “We are proud to have announced the first-ever 3-star show jumping competition in Kuwait since 2008. This year’s edition of KIB, The Stadium, which features an exceptional lineup of Kuwaiti and international riders, promises to be a pioneering event that elevates the local sports scene, offering us an opportunity to reaffirm our presence in this field at the local level.”

Al-Majed also extended his gratitude to KIB, praising the strategic partnership that resulted in holding such a unique sports event of such magnitude along the Marina Beach front. In addition, he thanked all the sponsors and partners, including United Real Estate Company (URC), for their invaluable support and contribution to the success of KIB, The Stadium, marking a significant milestone for Suffix Events.

This professional sports championship reaffirms KIB’s commitment to its comprehensive social responsibility program, focusing on sports development and supporting the youth, in line with Kuwait’s journey towards excellence in local, regional, and international sports forums. This season of KIB, The Stadium represents a significant shift in the world of sports in Kuwait, with a world-class equestrian track along Marina Beach and various monetary prizes for the winners.

The organization of this year’s championship included a grand opening ceremony on Friday, January 26, featuring a parade of participating champions from elite equestrians. The Bank designated a VIP lounge for distinguished guests attending the launch ceremony to ensure an exceptional experience throughout this unique event, along with exclusive suites for event sponsors and areas for F&B vendors to cater to the needs of attendees and participants during the championship.

The local show jumping competition officially kicked off on January 26 and continued until January 27. Meanwhile, an international competition is set to take place on February 8, 9 and 10, followed by the final competition of KIB, The Stadium on February 15, 16 and 17, before ending with a closing ceremony.

It is worth noting that as a “Bank for Life”, KIB continues to give priority to supporting and launching inspiring community initiatives and events that positively impact all segments of society and contribute to the sustainable development of the country.