Kuwait, 11 January 2025: Kuwait International Bank (KIB) announced the launch of the third season of the KIB | The Stadium championship, set to officially begin on Friday, January 24, 2025, at Marina Beach, organized by the Bank’s strategic partner Suffix Events. The latest edition will kick off with a local show jumping competition, followed by a 2-star international competition (CSI2*), before ending with the final competition of the 3-star category (CSI3*-W), which serves as a qualifier for the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Jumping World Cup.
The announcement of this prominent annual event was made during a press conference attended by Othman Tawfeqe, General Manager of the Retail Banking Department at KIB; Ahmed Al Huzami, CEO of Suffix; Marwa Marafie, Manager of the Corporate Communications Unit at KIB; and Nasser Al Qallaf, Senior Vice President – Sales and Product Development at United Real Estate Company (URC); alongside representatives from the Kuwait Olympic Committee and the Kuwait Equestrian Federation.
Building on the outstanding success of the previous edition, the third season will once again focus on equestrian sports, featuring Kuwait's first-of-its-kind international show jumping tournament by the sea. The event will be held on a larger scale than last year, with expanded participation from local and international teams.
The three-week championship aims to establish Kuwait as a premier sports destination, highlight emerging young Kuwaiti talents, and showcase their diverse athletic achievements. It also reflects KIB's commitment to its Kuwaiti identity, dedication to fostering a sports culture, and efforts to create an ideal environment for celebrating promising athletic talent. This initiative aligns with KIB's comprehensive social responsibility program and its corporate slogan, “Bank for Life.”
KIB, as the title sponsor, and Suffix Events, as the event organizer, collaborated with leading experts and specialists in sports management, building a world-class equestrian arena along Marina Beach to provide a unique and innovative experience for the Kuwaiti community and participating local and international teams. The championship features a range of cash prizes for winners across its events and challenges, with rewards available for both men and women.
Commenting on the occasion, KIB’s Marafie said: “Sponsoring the third season of KIB | The Stadium builds on the successes of previous seasons. This year’s championship will be bigger, with an expanded arena and increased participation from both local and international equestrians, underscoring our commitment to launching sports and social initiatives that enhance community engagement and promote the development of sports in Kuwait. We are proud to reintroduce the country’s first-ever show jumping tournament by the sea and look forward to it becoming a global platform that highlights our national talents while bringing together local and international professionals in an exceptional competitive setting.”
Marafie added: “We have worked diligently on every detail to ensure the championship meets the highest international standards, whether in terms of the arena or the level of organization and participating teams. We also aim for this championship to serve as an opportunity to promote equestrian culture in Kuwait.”
Furthermore, Marafie emphasized that sports are a core component of KIB's comprehensive social responsibility program. The Bank actively organizes and sponsors a variety of sports activities and events in Kuwait, consistently working to promote a culture of sports within the community. KIB also remains dedicated to supporting young athletes who have achieved remarkable milestones and proudly represented Kuwait on international stages.
Concluding her remarks, Marafie said: “We extend our sincere gratitude to all the participants, athletes, partners, and supporters who have played a vital role in the success of this major sporting event over the years. We look forward to making this year’s edition truly exceptional, reflecting our vision and commitment to providing an extraordinary sports experience in a competitive atmosphere filled with excitement and sportsmanship.”
On his part, Suffix CEO Al Huzami said: “Building on the success of the previous editions, we are excited to present the third version of KIB | The Stadium and the second version of our unique show jumping event by the sea. This championship exemplifies our commitment to delivering world-class sporting events and promoting equestrian culture in Kuwait. We aim to provide an exceptional experience for both athletes and spectators, creating an environment that fosters talent and celebrates the spirit of sportsmanship.”
To enhance the overall experience of riders and spectators alike, the warm-up area has been expanded this year, and service areas now feature additional restrooms and larger prayer spaces. KIB | The Stadium is expected to draw approximately 500 riders and 5,000 spectators, with participants representing a diverse range of nationalities, including Argentina, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, India, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and Spain.
It is worth noting that KIB remains committed to enhancing its impactful community role by launching and supporting initiatives and events that create a positive influence across society, with a strong focus on contributing to sustainable development. The Bank also prioritizes showcasing local talent and celebrating exceptional Kuwaiti achievements, particularly in sports.
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