PM Modi Attends Arabian Gulf Cup Opening in Kuwait, Celebrates Football Spirit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup in Kuwait on Saturday, invited as the ‘Guest of Honour’ by Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of Kuwait.

PM Modi joined the Amir, the Crown Prince, and the Prime Minister of Kuwait to witness the grand event. He later expressed on the social media platform X that the Arabian Gulf Cup is a celebration of football in the region.

“Attended the opening ceremony of the Arabian Gulf Cup. This grand sporting event celebrates the spirit of football in the region. I thank His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of Kuwait, for inviting me to witness this event,” PM Modi tweeted.

The biennial tournament, hosted by Kuwait, features eight teams from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, Iraq, and Yemen. It is one of the most prestigious sporting events in the region, with Kuwait holding the record for the most tournament wins among the participating countries. PM Modi conveyed his best wishes to all the competing nations.

PM Modi is on a two-day visit to Kuwait, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 43 years. Upon arrival, he was warmly welcomed by Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and Interior, Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, and other dignitaries.

During his visit, PM Modi also addressed the Indian diaspora at the ‘Hala Modi’ event in Kuwait. In his speech, he highlighted India’s global economic standing, noting that India is now the fifth-largest economy, leads the world in fintech, and has the third-largest startup ecosystem globally. He further emphasized that the future of India lies in becoming a hub for global development and a key growth engine for the world.