Latest news with #WaleedAl-Khashti
Kuwait Times
a day ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Zain celebrates Kuwait's promising talents at annual top students honoring ceremony
Event was attended by company and Ministry of Education officials, honorees' parents KUWAIT: Zain held its annual ceremony to honor the top high school graduates for the 2024–2025 academic year at its headquarters in Shuwaikh, with the attendance of company executives, Ministry of Education officials, and the honorees' parents and family members. The event was attended by Waleed Al-Khashti, Chief Corporate Affairs and Relations Officer at Zain Kuwait, and Maryam Al-Enezi, Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Development and Activities at the Ministry of Education. Together, they honored the top Kuwaiti students across various academic tracks, including science, literature, religious education, and special education, as part of Zain's annual initiative to celebrate academic excellence and spotlight Kuwait's emerging talents. Honoring one of the top students. Celebrating a high-achieving student. Zain annually highlights academic excellence. In his speech at the event, Al-Khashti stated: 'At Zain, we are always proud to renew this annual gathering, which remains one of the initiatives closest to our hearts. Today, we celebrate a distinguished group of young Kuwaitis whose achievements bring pride to themselves and to the nation.' He added: 'We meet today at a time when we are witnessing the results of continuous efforts to advance the educational system in our nation. This year's exceptional performance reflects a growing awareness among students, strong family support, dedicated educators, and an academic environment that continues to progress.' He continued: 'At Zain, we believe that our role as a national institution goes beyond technological innovation. It includes contributing to a brighter future for Kuwait by empowering young talent and celebrating excellence wherever it is found.' Al-Khashti emphasized: 'We do not view education as a phase that simply ends with a diploma, but as a lifelong journey of transformation. That's why we place great importance on supporting students, nurturing top achievers, and enabling a new generation that believes in the value of knowledge and the power of determination.' He also expressed his appreciation to the honorees' parents, describing them as the first and most important partner in this achievement, and praised their sacrifices and continued support. Addressing the students, he said: 'Do not be afraid to try. Use your passion to create real impact in your communities. Kuwait deserves the best from you, always.' This ceremony is part of Zain's corporate sustainability and social responsibility strategy, which places education at the forefront of its priorities. The company remains committed to collaborating with the Ministry of Education and various academic institutions to support national efforts aimed at enabling the next generation to lead Kuwait's transformation and development journey.
Kuwait Times
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait football's brightest stars shine at Zain's annual Excellence Awards
KUWAIT: Zain Kuwait, the strategic partner of the Kuwait Football Association, honored the stars of the 2024-2025 Zain Premier League (Dawri Zain) season during the annual Excellence Awards, which brought together an elite group of Kuwaiti sports stars, media figures and sports personalities. The event marked the conclusion of the third season of Zain's strategic partnership with the KFA, reaffirming the company's commitment to supporting sports and youth in Kuwait, contributing to the development of Kuwaiti football, and encouraging players and coaching staff to achieve peak performance. The event was attended by Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, President of the Kuwait Football Association; Waleed Al-Khashti, Chief Corporate Affairs & Relations Officer at Zain Kuwait; senior KFA officials; members of the technical committee responsible for selecting this year's award winners; honored players; along with sports leaders and media representatives. In his opening remarks, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah stated: 'I am very pleased to be here today at Zain, this leading company that has provided tremendous and impactful support to the Kuwait Football Association over the past three years.' He added: 'I extend my sincere thanks to the Chairman, members of the Board of Directors, and Bader Al-Kharafi for this fruitful collaboration. This outstanding event and its excellent organization truly reflect their genuine commitment to the advancement of football in Kuwait.' He continued: 'It also brings me great joy to see this talented group of young players, who represent the future of Kuwaiti football. I wish them continued success and progress, to see them in the Premier League and eventually in our national teams.' He concluded: 'In collaboration with Zain, we at the KFA promise to provide even greater support in the upcoming season, which kicks off on September 14, aiming for an even more competitive and successful league. We will also place special focus on further developing the Under-20 League. Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who contributed to this success.' In his remarks during the event, Waleed Al-Khashti said: 'It is my pleasure to welcome you all to Zain's Wonderful World, where we gather to celebrate the conclusion of an exciting sports season and to honor an elite group of athletes from the 2024-2025 Zain Premier League.' He added: 'We believe that the role of the private sector in supporting youth and sports is not optional, but a national responsibility and a cornerstone for building a vibrant and ambitious society. For this reason, we remain committed to supporting and motivating sports talent to excel, so that Kuwait's name continues to shine in regional and international arenas. One clear example of this is the great success of the Khaleeji Zain 26 tournament held earlier this year, which united the GCC nations here in Kuwait.' He further stated: 'At Zain, we view sports support as more than just a marketing partnership. Our aim is to instill a spirit of achievement and contribute to building an integrated sports ecosystem that leaves a positive impact on society. We take great pride in our partnership with the Kuwait Football Association, which has resulted in key milestones in recent years, and we look forward to an even more distinguished season ahead.' He added: 'We also believe that sports is an effective platform for instilling values such as teamwork, perseverance, and discipline, values we are equally committed to fostering within our work environment at Zain.' He continued: 'Today, we honor an outstanding group of players and athletes who excelled last season, recognizing their exceptional performance on the field. We are also pleased to introduce a new addition to this event — honoring a group of talented youth players from the age categories — a gesture aimed at encouraging them at the start of their careers and nurturing their talents to become future stars.' He also said: 'I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Kuwait Football Association and the members of the technical committee who worked tirelessly with great professionalism to select this year's Excellence Award winners in a transparent manner.' He concluded: 'At Zain, we renew our deep commitment to supporting everything that helps elevate Kuwait's name, whether on the sports field or in the fields of innovation and technological progress.' This year, Zain honored winners in the following main categories, as announced at the beginning of the season: At the senior level, Mohammed Daham of Kuwait SC was named Player of the Season, receiving a prize of KD 10,000. His teammate Yousef Nasser earned the Top Local Scorer title, along with KD 5,000. Vitor Vieira from Fahaheel SC was recognized as the Top Professional Scorer, also receiving KD 5,000. The Goalkeeper of the Season award went to Saud Al-Houshan of Kuwait SC, who was awarded KD 5,000. Nebojša Jovović, also from Kuwait SC, was honored as Coach of the Season, taking home KD 3,000. The Rising Star of the Season title was awarded to Jassim Matar of Qadsia SC, with a prize of KD 2,000. Zain also celebrated standout performers in the youth divisions. In the Blue League (Under 21), Saleh Al-Mutheb of Kazma was named Best Player. His teammate Hussein Kankouni received the award for Best Goalkeeper, while Abdullah Al-Awadhi from Qadsia SC was the Top Scorer. In the Under 19 League, Fadhel Al-Sarraf of Qadsia SC claimed the Best Player title and also emerged as Top Scorer. His teammate Abdulaziz Abdeen was named Best Goalkeeper. In the Under 17 League, Abdullah Al-Rasheedi from Al-Arabi SC won Best Player. Ahmed Al-Hazzaa of Al-Salmiya SC was awarded Best Goalkeeper, and Jaber Sanan of Kazma was the league's Top Scorer. In the Under 15 League, Saad Al-Shammari of Qadsia SC was recognized as Best Player. His teammates Hussein Dashti received the Best Goalkeeper award, and Mohammed Al-Yousef earned the Top Scorer title. To ensure the highest level of transparency in the selection process, the KFA formed a technical committee at the beginning of the season, consisting of distinguished former national players and experts: Thamer Enad (Committee Head), Jamal Mubarak, Faisal Borqaba, Waleed Ali and Mubarak Al-Woqayan. Zain extended its sincere thanks and appreciation to them for their great efforts and high professionalism throughout the season. Zain expressed its pride in this partnership with the Kuwait Football Association, which has elevated the professional standards of Kuwaiti football competitions. This season, matches featured strong performances and widespread fan engagement. Zain firmly believes that the private sector plays a vital role in supporting sports and youth, not only through financial sponsorship, but by actively contributing to the creation of a sustainable sports environment that fosters excellence, innovation and higher competition levels locally. As this season concludes with the Excellence Awards, Zain reaffirms its commitment to continuing this leadership role in cooperation with the Kuwait Football Association, under a strategic partnership that includes sponsorship of the Premier League (Dawri Zain), HH the Amir's Cup, HH the Crown Prince's Cup and the First Division League. Zain affirms that its support for Kuwaiti sports will remain a fundamental pillar of its social responsibility strategy, with the goal of elevating national sports, inspiring future generations to excel, and helping Kuwaiti sports achieve honorable representation in regional and international competitions.
Arab Times
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwait Football's brightest stars shine at Zain's annual Excellence Awards
KUWAIT CITY, June 25: Zain Kuwait, the strategic partner of the Kuwait Football Association, honored the stars of the 2024-2025 Zain Premier League (Dawri Zain) season during the annual Excellence Awards, which brought together an elite group of Kuwaiti sports stars, media figures, and sports personalities. The event marked the conclusion of the third season of Zain's strategic partnership with the KFA, reaffirming the company's commitment to supporting sports and youth in Kuwait, contributing to the development of Kuwaiti football, and encouraging players and coaching staff to achieve peak performance. The event was attended by Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, President of the Kuwait Football Association; Waleed Al-Khashti, Chief Corporate Affairs& Relations Officer at Zain Kuwait; senior KFA officials; members of the technical committee responsible for selecting this year's award winners; honored players; sports leaders; and media representatives. In his opening remarks, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah stated: 'I am very pleased to be here today at Zain, this leading company that has provided tremendous and impactful support to the Kuwait Football Association over the past three years.' He added: 'I extend my sincere thanks to the Chairman, members of the Board of Directors, and Mr. Bader Al-Kharafi for this fruitful collaboration. This outstanding event and its excellent organization truly reflect their genuine commitment to the advancement of football in Kuwait.' He continued: 'It also brings me great joy to see this talented group of young players, who represent the future of Kuwaiti football. I wish them continued success and progress, to see them in the Premier League and eventually in our national teams.' He concluded: 'In collaboration with Zain, we at the KFA promise to provide even greater support in the upcoming season, which kicks off on 14 September, aiming for an even more competitive and successful league. We will also place special focus on further developing the Under-20 League. Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who contributed to this success.' In his remarks during the event, Waleed Al-Khashti said: 'It is my pleasure to welcome you all to Wonderful World, where we gather to celebrate the conclusion of an exciting sports season and to honor an elite group of athletes from the 2024-2025 Zain Premier League.' He added: 'We believe that the role of the private sector in supporting youth and sports is not optional, but a national responsibility and a cornerstone for building a vibrant and ambitious society. For this reason, we remain committed to supporting and motivating sports talent to excel, so that Kuwait's name continues to shine in regional and international arenas. One clear example of this is the great success of the Khaleeji Zain 26 tournament held earlier this year, which united the GCC nations here in Kuwait.' He further stated: 'At Zain, we view sports support as more than just a marketing partnership. Our aim is to instill a spirit of achievement and contribute to building an integrated sports ecosystem that leaves a positive impact on society. We take great pride in our partnership with the Kuwait Football Association, which has resulted in key milestones in recent years, and we look forward to an even more distinguished season ahead.' He added: 'We also believe that sports is an effective platform for instilling values such as teamwork, perseverance, and discipline, values we are equally committed to fostering within our work environment at Zain.' He continued: 'Today, we honor an outstanding group of players and athletes who excelled last season, recognizing their exceptional performance on the field. We are also pleased to introduce a new addition to this event — honoring a group of talented youth players from the age categories — a gesture aimed at encouraging them at the start of their careers and nurturing their talents to become future stars." He also said: 'I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Kuwait Football Association and the members of the technical committee who worked tirelessly with great professionalism to select this year's Excellence Award winners transparently.' He concluded: 'At Zain, we renew our deep commitment to supporting everything that helps elevate Kuwait's name, whether on the sports field or in the fields of innovation and technological progress.' To ensure the highest level of transparency in the selection process, the KFA formed a technical committee at the beginning of the season, consisting of distinguished former national players and experts: Thamer Enad (Committee Head), Jamal Mubarak, Faisal Borqaba, Waleed Ali, and Mubarak Al-Woqayan. Zain extended its sincere thanks and appreciation to them for their great efforts and high professionalism throughout the season. Zain expressed its pride in this partnership with the Kuwait Football Association, which has elevated the professional standards of Kuwaiti football competitions. This season, matches featured strong performances and widespread fan engagement. Zain firmly believes that the private sector plays a vital role in supporting sports and youth, not only through financial sponsorship but by actively contributing to the creation of a sustainable sports environment that fosters excellence, innovation, and higher competition levels locally. As this season concludes with the Excellence Awards, Zain reaffirms its commitment to continuing this leadership role in cooperation with the Kuwait Football Association, under a strategic partnership that includes sponsorship of the Premier League (Dawri Zain), H.H. the Amir's Cup, H.H. the Crown Prince's Cup, and the First Division League. Zain affirms that its support for Kuwaiti sports will remain a fundamental pillar of its social responsibility strategy to elevate national sports, inspire future generations to excel, and help Kuwaiti sports achieve honorable representation in regional and international competitions.
Kuwait Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Zain ‘first telecom operator in Kuwait to adopt DHL's GoGreen Plus service'
Reducing air freight emissions using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) KUWAIT: Zain announced the signing of a strategic partnership agreement with global logistics leader DHL to adopt the eco-friendly GoGreen Plus service, becoming the first telecom operator in Kuwait to implement this solution aimed at reducing carbon emissions from air freight through the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The signing took place at the Zain Innovation Center (ZINC) at the company's headquarters in Shuwaikh, joined by Waleed Al-Khashti, Chief Corporate Affairs and Relations Officer at Zain Kuwait; Makram Raad, Country Manager of DHL Kuwait; and senior executives from both partners. This step aligns with Zain's corporate sustainability strategy and marks a new milestone in the company's journey toward decarbonizing its operations and supply chain. It also supports the company's commitment to the Paris Agreement and Zain's plans to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Commenting on the partnership, Waleed Al-Khashti said: 'At Zain, we believe the transition to a green economy starts not only internally but also across our partner ecosystem and supply chain. That's why our partnership with DHL to adopt the GoGreen Plus service reflects a model that embodies this direction.' He added: 'This step enables us to reduce carbon emissions from our air freight shipments and enhances our ability to meet our environmental commitments under our corporate sustainability strategy. We are proud to lead the local telecom market toward achieving sustainable development goals and to continue reinforcing our role as a regionally responsible and environmentally conscious organization.' Waleed Al-Khashti and Makram Raad sign the partnership agreement. Makram Raad, Country Manager of DHL Kuwait, commented: 'Through this agreement between Zain and DHL, both parties reaffirm their commitment to the local Kuwaiti community by continuing to decarbonize supply chains in pursuit of cleaner operations and better climate protection. It also strengthens both sides' positions in promoting awareness and embracing the responsibilities that all key players must uphold to achieve sustainability strategy goals.' DHL's GoGreen Plus service provides a sustainable alternative by using SAF produced from renewable sources such as used cooking oil or plant waste. SAF can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80 percent compared to conventional jet fuel. The service is based on the Book & Claim methodology, which allows DHL to separate the environmental benefit from the actual shipping location, enabling companies to benefit from SAF use anywhere in the world. Through this partnership, Zain will be able to reduce its Scope 3 carbon footprint associated with air freight emissions, further supporting the company's ability to accurately report its carbon emissions and meet its environmental goals. This initiative builds on several recent actions by Zain to increase the use of clean energy, including installing solar panels at its headquarters to replace conventional car park shading, implementing the region's first comprehensive Scope 3 supply chain monitoring system, and deploying artificial intelligence solutions to optimize network energy efficiency. In its 14th Annual Sustainability Report, Zain Group reaffirmed its deep commitment to environmental protection and climate action as a core pillar of its five-year strategy. In 2024, the Group secured approval from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its climate goals. Zain also adopted the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol to calculate emissions and aligned its emission factors with the International Energy Agency (IEA) standards to ensure consistency across its markets. It implemented a market-specific water management plan, achieving a 5.89 percent reduction in water consumption compared to the previous year, and maintained its commitment to voluntary disclosures under global standards such as GRI, SASB, and TCFD. Zain further reinforced its commitment to nature and biodiversity conservation through its ongoing participation in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and by expanding sustainability across its value chain, including supplier training in ethical business practices and environmental compliance. The company has also adopted a rigorous supply chain governance approach to ensure its partners align with Zain's values and are assessed against sustainability criteria. These initiatives reflect Zain's roadmap toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and reaffirm its leadership in climate action and environmental responsibility within the regional telecom sector. This partnership also aligns with DHL's roadmap to use 30 percent SAF in its air network by 2030, as part of its broader strategy to transition to clean operations for climate protection, which includes electric fleets and green logistics services.
Kuwait Times
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
Zain congratulates Kuwait SC on winning Zain Premier League
Zain a proud strategic partner of the KFA in driving the growth of local sports KUWAIT: Zain participated in the crowning ceremony of Kuwait Sports Club as champions of the Zain Premier League (Dawri Zain) for the 2024/2025 football season, held on the sidelines of the final match of the Championship Group stage at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium. The crowning of the champions was joined by the Chairman of the Kuwait Football Association, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, Zain Kuwait's Chief Corporate Affairs and Relations Officer, Waleed Al-Khashti, the Honorary President of Kuwait SC, Marzouq Al-Ghanim, Club President Khalid Al-Ghanim, club board members, and officials from both Zain and the KFA. Zain congratulated the players, management, and fans of Kuwait SC on securing the league title for the fourth consecutive year, reaffirming their status as the most decorated club in the history of the Kuwait Premier League with a total of 20 titles. The club clinched the championship during the final round of the Championship Group by defeating Al-Arabi SC 2-1. KUWAIT: Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef and Waleed Al-Khashti crown the champions in the presence of Marzouq Al-Ghanim and Khalid Al-Ghanim. A season full of competition and excitement. Zain also congratulated Al-Arabi SC for securing second place and Qadsia SC for achieving third place, expressing its appreciation to all participating teams for demonstrating high sportsmanship and delivering a season full of excitement that entertained thousands of fans and followers. This crowning comes as part of Zain's strategic partnership with the Kuwait Football Association, under which the company serves as the official sponsor of the Association's activities and tournaments for the 2022–2026 seasons. The partnership includes support to the Zain Premier League (Dawri Zain), the Zain First Division League, HH the Amir's Cup and HH the Crown Prince's Cup. As the official sponsor of the KFA's activities, Zain offers seasonal prizes to players and fans, with a total value exceeding KD 60,000 per season — the highest prize value in the history of the Kuwaiti league. The company is currently preparing for its annual Excellence Awards ceremony to honor the top players and athletes of the season. Zain firmly believes in the key role the Kuwaiti private sector plays in supporting youth and sports, and in encouraging athletes to excel and elevate Kuwait's name on both regional and international stages. The company continues to fulfill this role through its consistent presence in supporting and sponsoring major sporting events and local athletes.
