Olympic Council of Asia Chief in town today; major announcement likely

One of the most powerful personalities in the world’s sporting arena, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Sabah, a member of the Kuwait Royal family, is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka today, with expectations high for a major announcement.

Al Sabah, who is the President of the Olympic Council of Asia, is also scheduled to call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa during his visit.

His visit to Sri Lanka, according to sources, is expected to be linked to an announcement of an important sporting event in Sri Lanka in the coming years, following a meeting and presentation by the Chief of Sri Lankan National Olympic Committee Hemasiri Fernando and Director General of Tourism and Convention Bureau Vipula Wanigasekera recently in Kuwait.

Apart from being Olympic Council of Asia Chief since 1991, Al Sabah has been a Member of International Olympic committee since 1992. He was elected to the most prestigious position of the Presidency of Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) last month which carries a membership of over 200 National Olympic Committees.

He was one time Kuwait’s Minister of Information and Minister of Oil. He is well reputed for his interest in sports and has undertaken numerous significant sporting positions globally. In addition he was also the President of the Kuwait Olympic Committee, Chairman of the Afro Asian Games Council, Vice President of the International Handball Federation, President of Asian Handball Federation, Senior Vice President of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation, Honorary President of several Kuwaiti, Arab and Asian clubs and is also a valued member of International Relations and Olympic Solidarity Commission of the IOC.