Football for Humanity wraps up in Kuwait, blending diplomacy and humanitarian aid for Palestinian children

KUWAIT: Kuwait last night concluded the first Football for Humanity event, a UN-backed diplomatic sports initiative dedicated this year to children in Palestine.

Held under the patronage of Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, Kuwait’s minister of foreign affairs, the initiative was organized in partnership with the UN — represented by UNESCO, WHO, UNICEF and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Kuwait. It was also supported by the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, 11 participating embassies and Kuwait’s private sector, in an effort to harness the global popularity of football to advance humanitarian diplomacy and deliver support to children affected by crises.

The youth tournament brought together more than 400 boys and girls aged 8-12 from different nationalities, who played friendly matches in support of children in Palestine. Both the opening and closing ceremonies featured artistic performances expressing solidarity and unity through sport, alongside an exhibition match by Kuwait’s under-17 women’s team at the Jaber Al-Ahmad Youth Center.

Abdulaziz Saud Al-Jarallah, assistant foreign minister for International Organizations Affairs and member of the initiative’s board of trustees, said: “The success of Football for Humanity reaffirms Kuwait’s commitment to humanitarian diplomacy and global cooperation in promoting peace and supporting vulnerable communities. We value the partnership of the United Nations and participating embassies in Kuwait and look forward to building on this diplomatic engagement in future editions.”

For the first time in Kuwait and the region, matches were self-managed by the children, played without referees, and rewarded with a green card for sportsmanship instead of penalties. The tournament had