Friday 45 Sports Friday, February 7, 2020

KUWAIT: of (right) holds his trophy after winning an exhibition game against compatriot David Ferrer, to inaugurate the Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait, at Shaikh Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah International Complex in the Kuwaiti capital on KUWAIT: Rafael Nadal of Spain signs autographs for fans after an exhibition game to inaugu- February 5, 2020. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat rate the Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait. Sheikh Jaber Al-Abdullah Tennis complex launched Rafa Nadal Academy inaugurated in Kuwait

KUWAIT: Sheikh Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Jaber number of Sheikhs, officials and dignitaries. Meanwhile, President of Arab and Kuwait ances of the Kuwaiti national team juniors. The Al-Sabah International Tennis Complex located The ceremony witnessed an exhibition Tennis Federations Sheikh Ahmad Jaber Al-Ab- complex includes 18 tennis courts, the inside in Al-Zahraa has been inaugurated and Rafa match held between Spain’s Rafael Nadal and dullah Al-Sabah said, in his opening speech, main court accommodates 5000 spectators, Nadal Academy at the facility was launched on his fellow challenger David Ferrer. Nadal won that the academy would allure players and the while the outside one’s capacity is 1500.The Wednesday. It is the largest tennis academy in 19 titles at the four championships. lovers of the game in Kuwait. The edifice is fruit complex also contains a hotel with 300 rooms, the Middle East launched under the patronage Speaking in a statement on the sidelines of the of partnership between the public and private and special utilities for tennis as well as Kuwait of Kuwait Tennis Federation Honorary Presi- ceremony, Jabri said that the academy would sectors and in line with His Highness the Amir’s Tennis Federation’s headquarters. The complex dent Sheikh Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Jaber Al- contribute to improving and reviving grass- ‘New Kuwait Vision 2035’ vision that will help will host the first championship next April, as Sabah. roots tennis in Kuwait through training players place Kuwait on the global map of tennis. part of the third Gulf sports games. This came during a ceremony to open the and national teams under the supervision of Furthermore, Mohammad Al-Marzouq, The facility, built on an area of 70,000 complex and launch the academy in the presence well-experienced trainers. Chairman of Tamdeen Group, which launched square meters, contains several utilities and of National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al- This will help make further sports achieve- the academy in cooperation with the main services regarding the game. The courts are Ghanem, Minister of Information and Minister of ments and disseminating the game on the local academy in Span, said the aim of this facility is well equipped in line with world-class stan- State for Youth Affairs Mohammad Al-Jabri, level, he added. The academy would be a key to prepare a promising generation of players dards. The Kuwait Tennis Federation, in co- President of Kuwait Olympic Committee Sheikh sport edifice as it is the only branch of the main and developing their talents to be champions. operation with the academy, is set to Fahad Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Direc- facility in Spain, he noted. It will help attract a He added cooperation with the academy in organize local tournaments to benefit na- tor General of Public Authority for Sport Humoud new generation to make Kuwait a hub for the Spain would boost and develop the game in tional teams to take part in international Flaiteh and his deputy Saqar Al-Mulla, Hawalli game on the regional level, and raise awareness Kuwait and the Middle East region. events and raise Kuwait’s status in interna- Governor Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Sabah and a on this game, he pointed out. The ceremony also involved some perform- tional arenas. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to retired compatriot David Ferrer (unseen) during an exhibition game.