Kuwait International Bank (KIB) recently announced that it will be organizing and hosting the professional tournament, The Stadium, marking the first and biggest sporting event of its kind for men and women in Kuwait, with competitors hailing from Kuwait and the GCC. The event is set to take place from. January 25 to February 6 at Marina Beach. The news was announced at a press conference that was attended by Othman Tawfeqe, General Manager of the Retail Banking Department at KIB, Marwa Marafie, Assistant Manager of Marketing and Corporate Communication at KIB, Ahmed AlMajed, Managing Partner at Suffix Events, Ali Hayat from the Kuwait Padel Federation and Hamed AlHazeim, from the Public Authority of Sports.
Over the past few months, KIB has been laying the groundwork for this remarkable regional tournament, setting a new benchmark for regional sporting events and community events in Kuwait. To deliver the project in line with the highest international standards of excellence, KIB partnered with leading service providers and market experts who specialize in sporting events management to guarantee topnotch planning, organization, and execution of the tournament. Accordingly, a professional standard stadium was commissioned by the Bank to serve as the tournament’s hosting grounds, offering the Kuwaiti society a unique, unprecedented, and exciting experience. In doing so, KIB marks the first initiative of such nature to be sponsored by a Kuwait-based company or bank, especially with the magnitude of The Stadium and its outstanding agenda.
The Stadium tournament is set to span two weeks, divided into two parts: the first being a Padel competition for Kuwait’s and GCC’s top Padel male and female athletes – in addition to a children’s competition – which will be held under the supervision of the Kuwait Padel Federation.
The second part of the tournament will be dedicated to a multi-sport fitness challenge – organized in collaboration with FDT GYM – that’s open to the top sporting clubs in Kuwait, comprising up to 12 different competitions. The competitions include: kayaking, rowing, sync burpees, running, and many other exciting competitions.
At the end of the competitions, The Stadium winners, in both categories of men and women, across all sports will be awarded trophies and different monetary prizes that vary according to ranking.
Commenting on the tournament, Othman Tawfeqe, General Manager of the Retail Banking Department at KIB, said: “KIB has long been a patron of sports in Kuwait; however, this year, we went another mile further by founding and exemplary tournament that is set to be a source pride not only for KIB but for the Kuwaiti people as well. The Stadium tournament is a thrilling experience that aims at underscoring the leading position of sports in Kuwait on a regional level. In order to deliver a mega sporting event that goes matches the biggest sporting events internationally, all contributing parties have exhibited unwavering commitment to the highest international standards of excellence – a joint effort that took months of hard work and dedication to deliver an all-around exceptional tournament.”
On her part, Marwa Marafie, Assistant Manager of Marketing and Corporate Communication at KIB, stated: “There is no doubt that the Kuwaiti sports scene has witnessed massive, unprecedented progress in past few years, putting the national sports sector in a notable position. At KIB, we have always been adamant supporters of this pride-inducing progress that sweeping over Kuwait’s athletic field, which we have grounded in action through our comprehensive and inclusive social responsibility and engagement program that aims at innovating and sponsoring social collaboration and connection events. We hope that The Stadium tournament will continue to be held for many years to come.”
Marafie further added: “What we offer today isn’t a regular sporting event, but rather an outstanding event that is set to gather sports fans, professional and amateur athletes, and even entertainment and fun seekers. The Stadium isn’t a one-day event, but a holistic experience and an engaging event that will be unfolding over the span of two weeks, promising fun, entertainment, and uncompromised quality to competing athletes, spectators, families, and the youth alike.”
The Stadium grounds are designed to host three zones: the stadium, the village, and the food court. At the village, many companies from across industries and sectors will be offering their services and products through rented booths. Meanwhile at the food court, KIB will be extending its collaboration with Food Buzz, extending its support for successful homegrown food and beverage startups and small businesses.
On his part, Ahmed AlMajed, Managing Partner at Suffix said: “ At Suffix, our commitment and mission to be innovative and deliver an amazing sports experience align with the international criteria. We always believe in making a positive change in our youth, empowering our new generations, by getting our communities involved in such a unique event. We truly honor and value our three years partnership with KIB, as we work together to hold one of the most iconic sports events in Kuwait, and across the region.”
It serves to note that sports constitute a cornerstone of KIB’s social responsibility program, which the Bank continues to support through organizing and sponsoring different sporting events in Kuwait. KIB also seeks to reinforce and spread the sports culture amongst the community, as well as advancing the quality of sports in Kuwait – a field that’s home to many aspiring national athletes who have made remarkable achievements in their fields, raising the Kuwaiti flag high in the most prestigious international sporting competitions.
Marwa Marafie, Assistant Manager of Marketing and Corporate Communication at KIB, Othman Tawfeqe, General Manager of the Retail Banking Department at KIB, Ahmed AlMajed, Managing Partner at Suffix Events, Hamed AlHazeim, from the Public Authority of Sports and Ali Hayat from the Kuwait Padel Federation.
Othman Tawfeqe, General Manager of the Retail Banking Department at KIB, Hamad Al-Rashed, founder of Food Buzz, Marwa Marafie, Assistant Manager of Marketing and Corporate Communication at KIB, and Ahmed AlMajed, Managing Partner at Suffix Events.