Latest news with #KSEC
Malay Mail
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
Coaching suspensions for Son Heung-min's dad and brother in South Korea after child abuse ruling
SEOUL, May 21 — The father and brother of Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min have been suspended from coaching roles in South Korea after being convicted in a child abuse case involving a youth player at their academy. The Gangwon Football Association (GFA) confirmed to The Korea Herald that Son Woong-jung, the father of the Spurs forward and director of the SON Football Academy, was handed a three-month suspension. The same penalty was given to a fellow coach at the academy. Son Heung-yun, Son Heung-min's older brother and also a coach at the institution, received a more severe six-month suspension. The decision follows an investigation by the Korea Sport Ethics Centre (KSEC), a government-affiliated body. While the Chuncheon District Court had already fined all three men three million won (RM9,220) each in November for violating the Child Welfare Act, the GFA ruling now places them under formal sporting sanctions. According to The Korea Herald, these punishments are considered the lowest level of disciplinary action under KSEC guidelines for coaches found guilty of abuse. The GFA's ethics committee ruled that the verbal abuse by Son Woong-jung and physical violence by the other two coaches were not premeditated acts. However, the victim's lawyer challenged this characterisation, saying the abuse 'took place repeatedly and cannot be considered as actions made on the spur of the moment.' All three men have requested a reconsideration of the punishment. According to testimony from the youth athlete involved, Son Woong-jung regularly subjected him to verbal abuse, while the younger Son physically assaulted him. One incident cited involved Son Heung-yun allegedly striking the player with a baton during a training camp in March 2024 — an injury that required two weeks of medical treatment. Son Woong-jung later issued a public apology to the victim and his family, but denied some of the allegations. 'I admit that I coached the children in a way that was not corresponding to the standards set by the changing trend and the law,' he said. A former professional footballer, Son Woong-jung is well known in South Korea for his strict training regime that shaped his son's career. In a 2020 interview, he acknowledged: 'I beat up Heung-min a lot,' and admitted in his autobiography that his coaching style was harsh — so much so that a neighbour once reported him for child abuse. Despite the controversy, Son Heung-min has never publicly criticised his father's methods. Instead, the Spurs star has expressed respect for his upbringing and the role his father played in his footballing development.
Kuwait Times
06-05-2025
- Science
- Kuwait Times
Kuwaiti youths shine in science and engineering competition
KUWAIT: Former Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah affirmed that the 11th Kuwait Science and Engineering Competition (KSEC) stands as a distinguished national scientific platform that underscores Kuwait's commitment to supporting scientific excellence, academic achievement, and strategic investment in the country's youth—the future leaders and architects of Kuwait's renaissance. Representing the competition's sponsor, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser delivered a statement during the closing ceremony on Monday, commending the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) for its sponsorship of the event. He lauded the participating students for showcasing exceptional creativity and innovation, stating that their contributions reflect the high potential of Kuwaiti youth to lead future development and progress. 'All our children are winners through their participation in this national scientific gathering,' he said. 'We ask Allah Almighty to grant them success in continuing their service to Kuwait under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.' Second place winners of His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Award. The first place winners of His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Award. Sheikh Dr Ahmed Nasser Al-Sabah, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Scientific Club takes a group photo with other officials during the ceremony. Sheikh Dr Ahmad extended his appreciation to Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Science Club, Talal Al-Kharafi, and the board members for their efforts in ensuring the competition's success. He also commended the jury for their professional and objective evaluation of the student projects, and expressed sincere gratitude to the volunteers, administrators, and academic organizers whose contributions were pivotal to the event's success. He paid special tribute to the students and their parents for their ongoing encouragement and support. Speaking at the ceremony, Al-Kharafi said the competition has evolved into a premier platform that unites young innovators and fosters their scientific and technological capabilities. 'This event is no longer merely a venue for presenting projects—it is a testament to the boundless creativity of our youth and their role in building the future,' he said. He added that witnessing students transform their ideas into real-world projects is a source of national pride. 'They are the changemakers who will shape the future through their creativity and ambition,' Al-Kharafi said. He also praised the panel of judges—comprised of distinguished Kuwaiti academics—for their continued voluntary contributions since the competition's inception. Al-Kharafi congratulated the winners of this year's awards and extended his heartfelt thanks to His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah for his steadfast sponsorship, which he described as a cornerstone of the competition's enduring success. He also thanked Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser for his presence at both the opening and closing ceremonies, and expressed gratitude to all sponsors and strategic partners—including KFAS, Kuwait University, the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), and EQUATE Petrochemical Company—for their belief in the importance of education and youth empowerment. The 2025 Grand Prize, the His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Award for Scientific Research, was awarded to students Khaled Al-Jumaa and Mohammed Al-Dhabiyan from Ahmed Mishari Al-Adwani Secondary School for Boys for their project 'Farewell to the Oil Well Explosions.' Second place went to Adnan Al-Ateeqi and Mohammed Al-Hasawi from the Joint Talent Academy for Boys for their innovative agricultural project 'The Smart Farmer.' Third place was secured by Wahsh Al-Rajeeb and Nawal Malallah from Mishref Secondary School for Girls for their project, 'Neu.' The 11th edition of the competition featured participation across 22 diverse scientific fields—including the rarely represented social and behavioral sciences—demonstrating the organizing committee's commitment to scientific diversity and inclusive engagement across a broad spectrum of interests. - KUNA
Kuwait Times
05-05-2025
- Science
- Kuwait Times
KSEC exhibition promotes innovations
KUWAIT: Sheikh Dr Ahmad Al-Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, inaugurated on Sunday the 11th edition of the Kuwait Science and Engineering Competition (KSEC) exhibition. The event, organized by the Kuwait Science Club (KSC) with the support of the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. During a tour of the exhibition, Sheikh Dr Ahmad Al-Nasser visited various pavilions accompanied by KSC Chairman Talal Jassem Al-Kharafi and members of the Board of Directors. He engaged with participating students, discussing their scientific innovations, and met with members of the competition's jury panel, which includes around 60 academic experts from local universities and scientific institutions. Commemorative photographs were taken with the students, jury members, and KSC officials. In a press statement, KSC Vice Chairperson and Head of the competition's higher committee Sheikha Sheikha Mohammad Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah described KSEC as a national initiative aimed at fostering a generation of creative youth in the fields of research and innovation. She noted that the competition has grown beyond a traditional contest, evolving into an integrated educational experience that spans the entire academic year. Highlighting the success of the current edition, Sheikha Sheikha said the competition has solidified its position as a leading scientific platform, drawing students from both public and private schools across Kuwait. She credited sustained support from government bodies, private institutions, and civil society for the competition's continuity and credibility, enabling it to represent Kuwait on international platforms. She also commended the efforts of professors and academic specialists who have consistently guided students since the competition's inception, underscoring their role in ensuring fair and rigorous evaluation of projects. KSC Board Member and Deputy Head of the higher committee Asrar Al-Ansari echoed these sentiments, stating that the competition serves as a comprehensive national platform dedicated to empowering young researchers and innovators. Al-Ansari emphasized KSC's readiness to embrace promising scientific talent from all governorates, noting that this year's edition features 22 diverse scientific categories, including the often-overlooked field of social and behavioral sciences. She reaffirmed the Club's dedication to cultivating a culture of scientific inquiry and innovation among youth, encouraging students at the intermediate and secondary levels to actively participate and showcase their talents. For his part, Dr Mohammad Al-Saffar, Head of KSC's Development and Competitive Programs Sector, said the competition aims to foster a spirit of scientific research and innovation among pre-university students while providing a dynamic, competitive environment for talent discovery and development in STEM fields. He described KSEC as a vital platform for knowledge exchange and future research collaboration. Al-Saffar praised the contributions of academic institutions such as Kuwait University, the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), and the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) for supporting student participants, and lauded the pivotal role of KFAS in promoting scientific culture and student engagement in research. — KUNA
