Whether based in Kuwait as a resident, visiting on business, or traveling there as a tourist, this is a country blessed with a wonderful sporting culture established over many generations. Participation has always been strong, with many sporting pursuits forming the basis of many national pastimes.

Alongside the more physical sporting pursuits, Kuwaitis have always been fond of traditional board games like Dama and Carrom Board, while Jawaker is a modern and popular card game often found in cafes throughout the Arab world. Likewise, the digital age has also made online videogaming hugely popular, especially amongst the younger generations.

Diverse range of sporting participation

Just like in many countries around the world, soccer is the most popular sport by some considerable margin. Along with being keen followers of the international game and the biggest leagues around the world, with official supporters’ groups for English Premier League and Spanish LaLiga teams, there’s also a thriving local scene.

Founded in 1961, The Kuwait Premier League is the top level of soccer in Kuwait, often attracting notable players and coaches from various MENA countries, along with other foreign imports from Europe and South America. The two most successful clubs are Al-Arabi SC and Qadsia SC, who boast 17 league titles apiece, closely followed by Kuwait SC with 16.

Basketball has also become increasingly popular during recent decades. Yet to reach the FIBA Basketball World Championship or the Olympic Games, the Kuwaiti national basketball team has qualified for the FIBA Asian Championship eleven times. This achievement makes them one of the most successful basketball nations in the Middle East region.

Investment and effort have also made cricket one of the fastest growing sports in Kuwait, particularly since becoming an associate member of the International Cricket Council in 2005. Meanwhile, Kuwait boasts one of the best handball teams in the Arab world, while the nation has also enjoyed great success in field hockey, winning the IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia in 2015.

Due to its coastal location on the Persian Gulf, as reflected by the national emblem of Kuwait which features a boom sailing ship, this is a country that has also become passionate about water sports. Kuwait Bay hosted the UIM Aquabike World Championship in 2020, while their most famous Runabout GP1 competitor is four-time World Champion Yousef Al Abdulrazzaq.

Finally, shooting is arguably one of the most successful sporting events on the international stage, with Kuwait having won 20 medals (in Skeet, Trap & Double Trap) at ISSF World Championships. Professional target shooter Fehaid Al-Deehani has won three medals at the Olympics, while the most recent success for Kuwait was Abdullah Al-Rashidi, winning bronze at the 202 Tokyo Games.

Growth of eSports & iGaming participation

While taking part in ‘real’ sports continues to increase amongst the Kuwaiti populace, the number of people taking to ‘virtual’ sports is also growing at a lightning pace. Largely thanks to reliable home internet infrastructure improvements and increasingly faster mobile connectivity, Kuwaitis are now making their mark in the eSports arena.

As one of the leading proponents for competitive online gaming, the Kuwait Esports Club is a non-profit organization, formed for the purpose of development and popularization of esports in Kuwait. Amongst their objectives is to promote safe and secure gaming environments, provide educational support throughout the country, alongside the promotion of national and international eSports tournaments.

While yet to make a big splash alongside the most famous international eSports teams, Evolve Gaming has already enjoyed modest success at major tournaments, while two individual gamers have earned in excess of $28,000 from their competitive gaming activity. Amongst the consistently growing base of Kuwaiti eSports participants, Counter-Strike and Overwatch, plus Fortnite and Dota 2 are some of the most popular games they play competitively.

Interestingly, despite the huge popularity of soccer in Kuwait, with games like FIFA and PES often played by gamers throughout the country, participation at associated eSports tournaments has thus far been limited. Partly, this could be due to the grey area surrounding in-game purchases, which are banned in some countries as they are likened to gambling.

This raises an interesting point regarding iGaming and gambling, which are currently prohibited in Kuwait. There are no land-based casinos, while online sports betting and casino gaming is also considered to be illegal. However, this hasn’t prevented a high demand, as residents look for the best online casinos for Kuwaiti players, eager to play card games like poker and blackjack, alongside games of chance such as roulette and slots.

Of course, anyone considering playing online casino games will do so at their own risk, which means they must also protect their privacy. This can be aided by using reliable VPN software, while many participants also make secure and fast payments using cryptocurrencies. Always of paramount importance, only chose highly rated and reviewed casinos sites where security and safety are guaranteed, which are also fully licensed with reputable international bodies.

Plenty of pastimes to try in Kuwait

For anyone keen to socialize and enjoy participating in various activities, Kuwait certainly has plenty of options when it comes to sports and games. There are lots of sports and fitness centers where participants can work up a sweat, either individually or as part of a team, whether as an amateur or an aspiring professional. With so many sports hosted in this country, it’s also possible to attend lots of top events as a spectator, cheering on from the stands.

If your preferences lean towards more relaxed pursuits, there are clubs and venues where many traditional Arabic games are played, which can be a fun experience for foreign visitors and locals alike. The video gaming scene also offers the chance to participate competitively, either from the comfort of your own residence or at organized event locations, with Kuwait quickly becoming one of the foremost MENA technology hubs.

Whichever sports and games you try in Kuwait, there will never be a shortage of locals ready to encourage your enjoyment, making for a great experience.

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