Latest news with #Salmiya
Kuwait Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
Arabi beat Salmiya to set Amir Cup final date with Kuwait
Arabi beat Salmiya to set Amir Cup final date with Kuwait KUWAIT: Al-Arabi beat Salmiya 1-0 to qualify for the Amir Cup final, where they will be facing Kuwait in an epic showdown on June 16th. Al-Arabi's win came Friday at Ali Sabah Al-Salem Stadium, where it dominated throughout the first half with many attempts on the goal. Al-Arabi's pressure almost resulted in a goal before the half time whistle, but the referee used the VAR technology to rule out a goal due to a foul committed on Salmiya's defense before the ball hit the back of the net. In the second half, Al-Arabi's Kamil Al-Aswad managed to open the scoring in the 52nd minute, and the advantage continued for his team as the defense managed to block Salmiya's attacks until the final whistle. Kuwait SC qualified for the final match after beating Qadsia 1-0 in the other semi-final match held earlier in the day. — KUNA
Kuwait Times
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
Arabi, Salmiya advance to Amir Cup semis
KUWAIT: Al-Arabi's Moroccan forward Hamza Khabba #23 dribbles between Al-Jahra's players during their Amir Cup quarterfinal match at Thamer Stadium on Monday. - KUNA KUWAIT: Al-Arabi and Salmiya advanced to the Amir Cup semi-finals after beating Al-Jahra and Al-Nasr respectively in the quarter finals held Monday. Al-Arabi and Salmiya will be facing each other in the semi-finals on Friday, while Kuwait and Qadsia square off Thursday for a ticket to the finals of the prestigious tournament. At Thamer Stadium, Anayo Iwuala put Al-Arabi ahead with a goal in the 34th minute, while Kameel Al-Aswad added a second in the 52nd minute. Jahra came back with a goal for Abdulaziz Mruwee in the 61st minute, but it was too little, too late as Arabi protected its goal to seal the 2-1 win. At the Sabah Al-Salem Stadium, Fawaz Al-Otaibi, Alex Lima and Imed Louati scored as a dominant Salmiya squad secured a 3-1 victory against Al-Nasr, whose only goal came in the 88th minute by Ali Hassan. – KUNA
Arab Times
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwait Club closes in on league title
KUWAIT CITY, May 24: Kuwait Club is eyeing a critical victory today in its quest to secure the Premier Handball League title as it faces Burgan SC at 6:00 pm in the fifth and final round of the Second Division of the league at Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Sports Complex and follows an earlier clash between Al-Arabi and Sulaibikhat at 4:30 pm, with Kazma and Salmiya squaring off at 7:00 pm. Currently, Kuwait Club leads the standings with 44 points, followed by Burgan with 37 points. Kazma holds third place with 28, while Salmiya (23), Sulaibikhat (20), and Al-Arabi (18) trail behind. With only Kuwait Club and Burgan left in the title race, today's showdown is pivotal. Kuwait Club, which has dominated the league for the past 12 consecutive seasons, is just two wins away from clinching another championship. A victory today would leave them needing only one win in the upcoming third-division stage, which begins next Wednesday—a task well within reach considering the team's strong form and depth. On the other side, Burgan is aiming to halt Kuwait Club's momentum and keep its slim title hopes alive. A loss would end its championship dreams, but a second-place finish remains within reach. Securing runner-up status would grant Burgan a historic qualification to the Asian Club Championship for the first time—an achievement that would reflect the dedicated efforts of the club's management, technical team, and players. Meanwhile, Kazma and Salmiya are battling for third place, as Al-Arabi is out of contention and Sulaibikhat's hopes of staying in the third division are fading.
Kuwait Times
17-05-2025
- Kuwait Times
Maliya Fridays
From shared meals to street cricket, downtown Kuwait City becomes a vibrant weekend haven for South Asian expats Each Friday, the bustling area of 'Maliya' in downtown Kuwait City transforms into a vibrant tapestry of cultural connection, drawing hundreds of expatriates — primarily from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka — for a day of community, leisure and nostalgia. Located near the iconic Al Muthanna Complex and the central bus station, Maliya is easily accessible by public transport, making it a popular gathering spot. From early morning until sunset, the area pulses with activity as families and friends converge after Friday prayers to socialize, relax and reconnect with familiar traditions. Scenes of children playing cricket, elders chatting over cups of tea and coffee and vendors offering beloved South Asian street snacks like samosas, pakoras and chaat are common. 'We come here to relax on Fridays. We meet friends and enjoy a little taste of home. Hearing our native languages all around us — it feels like being back in India,' said Rai Kumar, an Indian expatriate. Similar in spirit to Salmiya's 'Little Manila', Maliya has become a cherished weekend destination for South Asian expatriates. The shared cultural background and synchronized weekend schedules foster a strong sense of belonging. Conversations in Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Telugu, Malayalam, Sinhalese and Tamil fill the air, while families often bring home-cooked meals to share, deepening the sense of community. 'There are many affordable South Asian eateries and convenience stores here, which see a significant rise in business on Fridays. Some even offer special weekend menus,' said Vishai, another Indian expat. At the center of the area's roundabout, informal groups gather to read, sing or play games — turning public spaces into zones of camaraderie and celebration. However, alongside this vibrant atmosphere, Maliya also sees a rise in unlawful activities. Behind shopping centers and in secluded alleys, some individuals exploit the large gatherings to engage in illegal gambling and other prohibited acts. Kuwait Times observed security personnel pursuing suspects in hidden corners of the area. 'Sometimes fights break out when people lose money. We've raised concerns, but there's little we can do. It's obvious something illegal is going on,' said a shopkeeper who requested anonymity. Gambling is strictly forbidden under Kuwaiti law, yet its persistence in areas like Maliya — where dense housing and narrow alleyways provide concealment — poses ongoing challenges for law enforcement. Police and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) teams routinely conduct raids, seizing gambling materials and cash. Some operations have also uncovered illegal alcohol sales and physical altercations tied to gambling disputes. 'While most people come here for genuine recreation, a small number misuse the opportunity for illegal activities, compromising public safety,' the shopkeeper added. As Maliya awakens each Friday, it becomes more than just a cultural hub — it becomes a space for emotional connection. For many South Asian expatriates, especially singles, the area has quietly evolved into a place to meet and interact. 'For some of us, Friday is not just a day of rest — it's a chance to connect,' said Arjun Bharat, a 28-year-old chef who has lived in Kuwait for four years. 'Back home, relationships are often arranged by families. Here, we're free to find someone who understands our struggles and dreams.' Dressed in their finest clothes, many arrive with hopes of meeting someone special. 'It's fun to be here on Fridays,' said Diya, a young woman working in retail. 'I'd love to find someone here. We understand each other better and are free from family pressures.' Young women often come accompanied by friends or older relatives, strolling through the area, sharing meals and chatting in their native languages. 'There are many stories of couples who met here and later married,' added Vaayan, Diya's friend.
Arab Times
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwait Club and Al-Arabi finalize preparations for Zain Premier League title decider
KUWAIT CITY, May 8: Kuwait Club and Al-Arabi will wrap up their preparations for the decisive clash scheduled for Sunday in the fifth and final round of the Zain Premier League championship group. Both sides are vying for the coveted league title. Kuwait Club currently leads the standings with 57 points and requires just one point to be crowned champion for the fourth consecutive year and the 20th time in its history. Meanwhile, Al-Arabi, sitting on 55 points, must secure a win to claim the title for the 18th time in club history. The two sides have faced off twice this season in the league — Kuwait Club won the first encounter 2-0, while the second ended in a goalless draw. The fourth round wrapped up with a single match between Salmiya and Fahaheel at Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium, ending in a 1-1 draw. Salmiya now holds fourth place with 32 points, just ahead of Fahaheel, which sits fifth with 31 points. In Sunday's final round, Salmiya will face Al-Tadamon (6th place, 20 points), while Fahaheel will go up against Al-Qadsiya, who have locked in third place with 38 points. Fahaheel's Syrian coach, Firas Al-Khatib, expressed disappointment over missed chances, stating, 'The waste of easy opportunities continues.' He commended his players for their determination and strong desire to clinch fourth place, emphasizing that the team still has a real chance to achieve that goal. Al-Khatib also praised Salmiya goalkeeper Yousef Al-Kandari for his exceptional performance. Tomorrow also marks the final round of the relegation group, with Khaitan and Yarmouk set to bid farewell to the Zain Premier League. The two sides will face off at 7:10 PM at Al-Sadalaqa and Al-Salam Stadiums. Meanwhile, Kazma (20 points) and Al-Nasr (18 points), both of whom have already secured their place in next season's Premier League, will clash at Abdullah Al-Khalifa Stadium.
