Former AIPS Asia President, Faisal Al Qanai has breathed his last after a prolonged illness.
Faisal Al Qanai (Kuwait, October 6, 1950) represented the sports journalists of the Asian Continent as AIPS Executive Committee Member from 1993 to 2005, AIPS Vice President from 2005 to 2013 and AIPS Asia Vice-from 2013 to 2016.
He was a seasoned sports journalist and used to be one of the best, not only in Kuwait but also across the Arab nations.
In 2016, Faisal Al Qanai received a present in honour of his long service to the AIPS from AIPS President Gianni Merlo.
Apart from being an EC member, Faisal Al Qanai also retained another coveted office – the Vice President of AIPS from 2005 to 2013. Then he was also chosen as President of AIPS Asia by its congress held in Kuwait in 2013 and thus became the first sportswriter in the country to clinch the position in its entire history. Till 2016, Faisal Al Qanai retained the presidential slot of the continental wing of AIPS – the entire tenure. Faisal Al Qanai had rendered tremendous contribution towards promotion of sports journalism across the globe.
With his death, the sports journalist community has been deprived of a great well-wisher of the field.
AIPS President Gianni Merlo and the rest of the AIPS Executive Committee members are deeply saddened by the demise of Faisal Al Qanai. Similarly, Mr Sattam Al Alsehali, AIPS Asia President and his cabinet have also received the tragic news with deep shock: the discipline of sports journalism has lost a very devoted, hardworking and sincere friend.
About Faisal Al Qanai
Sports Editor and Journalist of Newspaper Al-Seyassah since 1972
Sports section Director of Newspaper Al-Seyassah since 1978
Kuwait Olympic Committee Press Committee Director
Editor in chief of Al-Seyassah (“The Martyr”), a magazine published by Kuwait Olympic Committee
Secretary of Kuwait Sports Journalists Association
AIPS Vice President
AIPS Asia President
ACNO Member since 1983
Arab Sports Journalists Association Executive Committee Member
Covered all the major international sporting events where Kuwait was present since 1974
Head of sports journalists delegation which accompany Kuwait sports delegation in the Olympic Games of Los Angeles 1984, Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, FIFA World Cup finals Spain 1982, Asian Games New Dehli 1982, Seoul 1986, Bangkok 1998, Busan 2002.
Founder of the first press centre in the Gulf area during the 5fth Asian Games of the Athletics Friendship Championships in 1983 in Kuwait
Expert in establishing and organizing press centre and media communications
Winner of the IOC prize in 1986
Author of the books: ‘Sports stars in my country’ in 1976, ‘World Cup Guide’ in 1982, ‘Shooted ball’ in 1998, ‘Road to Barcelona’ in 1992, ‘Always forward’ in 1994
Consultant for the Media Communication in the Ministry of Information in 2003.
