On 14 January 2023 Ukrainian football referee Mr. Myroslav Stupar and Vice President of FC “Dynamo” Mr. Oleksii Semenenko paid a visit to the Embassy of Ukraine in Kuwait within their 3-days trip to Kuwait to commemorate Valerii Lobanovskiy’s Football legacy. On the very first day Ukrainian delegates gave an exclusive interview to the author of YouTube channel “Hussain thinks - حسين يفكر”.
Later that day Ambassador of Ukraine to Kuwait Dr. Oleksandr Balanutsa accompanied by a delegation from Ukraine, attended a diwaniya hosted by Mr. Marzuq Al-Ajmi, Kuwaiti journalist and big football fan. The parties discussed the football legacy left by Valerii Lobanovskiy during his tenure in Kuwait and exchanged memorable moments of our shared football history.
A press conference in the Embassy premises with the participation of the Ukrainian delegation was held on the morning of January 15. The event was attended by more than 5 leading Kuwaiti newspapers and TV channels as well as bloggers. Mr. Semenenko and Mr. Stupar shared their memories about Valerii Lobanovskiy, his impact on the development of global football and expressed gratitude to Kuwaiti media circles for their sincere interest in Ukrainian football. During the event, Mr. Stupar gifted to Dr. Balanutsa a priceless artifact, literally an icon for all football fans – a ball from the legendary match France-Kuwait, 1982.
Mr. Stupar noted, that he presented this family relic to Dr. Balanutsa in recognition of his tireless diplomatic efforts in the name of Ukraine. The main event took place in the evening of January 15: Dr. Oleksandr Balanutsa opened a gala-evening at the Embassy’s premises to commemorate football legacy of Ukrainian legendary football coach Valerii Lobanovskiy. Attended by above 60 guests, including Ambassadors, journalists, football fans and friends of Ukraine, the event was dedicated to presentation of an Arabic book about Lobanovskiy. After the solemn speeches, given by Dr. Balanutsa, Mr. Stupar and Mr. Semenenko the invitees had a unique chance to get a signed book as a memorable souvenir.
On 16 January 2023 a delegation of outstanding Ukrainian football figures headed by Dr. Balanutsa paid a courtesy visit to a unique private museum of football inspired and guided by Mr. Ibrahim Habash. Ukrainian delegates exchanged precious souvenirs with Mr. Habash and left signatures in the museum’s Guest Book, expressing hope to meet again in Ukraine after its victory against Russian invaders. On the sidelines, Ukrainian delegation made a tour in the largest football archive in Kuwait, carefully collected and treated by Mr. Habash.
Also on the third day of the visit a delegation with Ambassador of Ukraine paid a courtesy visit to a renowned museum of football created and designed by Mr. Hussein Al-Baloushi. The Ukrainian delegates with Mr. Al-Balоushi handed each other valuable souvenirs and left their signatures on the museum's oldest exhibits. The guests also invited Mr. Al-Balоushi to Ukraine to meet again in peace and security after Ukrainian victory over the Russian invaders. On the sidelines of the visit, Ukrainian delegation made a tour in the museum’s picturesque sections where above 10 thousand pieces related to football are exhibited.
Ukraine and Kuwait share many common episodes of history, including the history of sports. These both friendly countries enjoy fruitful relations at all levels. Since our people experienced similar historical scenarios of the struggle for independence from invaders, Kuwait supports Ukraine in various international arenas in difficult times for us.
Long live Ukraine and Kuwait!