KUWAIT SPORTS ENVOY PROGRAM REQUEST

UNCLAS KUWAIT 001750 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP (BJACKSON),ECA/PE/C/CU (RKEITH),NEA/PPD (DBENZE),MEPI (CBOURGEOIS) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OEXC KPAO IS LE JO KU SUBJECT: KUWAIT SPORTS ENVOY PROGRAM REQUEST REF: STATE 153793 ¶1. Per reftel, Embassy Kuwait submits the following program request for American NBA and WNBA sports envoys to come to Kuwait to conduct a basketball program for Kuwaiti youth. Basketball is a popular sport in Kuwait that can be played year round indoors. Note: Due to strict separation of male and female sports in Kuwait, there should be one male and one female envoy. ¶2. Objectives and Relation to MPP Goals: The program will be geared toward non-elite Kuwaiti youth who comprise a key target audience for Embassy efforts to counter extremism, foster democratic ideals, and increase awareness of American values. It supports MSP goal #4 "Expand Kuwaiti and American professional and social ties based on shared core values" and goal #6 "Strengthening democracy, including the role of parliament, rule of law, and equality for women." The program's chief objective is to share American values and promote cooperation through American team sports. Additionally the program can be a platform to promote study at American colleges and universities, a key Embassy objective. By including Kuwaiti females, the program will highlight women's equality in all sectors of society. By fostering ties between Americans and Kuwaitis, it will present an ideal opportunity to advance understanding of the U.S. among Kuwaitis and to build bridges between Americans and the Mission with non-elite Kuwaiti youth and locally-based institutions. By promoting the clinics in the local print and broadcast media, these messages can be amplified to other Kuwaitis, especially its youth. ¶3. Partner Institutions and Audiences: Public Affairs Kuwait will organize this program with two local NGOs, AMIDEAST and LoYAC, as well as with the Kuwaiti Public Authority for Youth and Sports. AMIDEAST is an organization that offers English Language instruction to students in Kuwait. LoYAC is a youth oriented NGO that offers program to young people to encourage tolerance, an appreciation for the arts, and social activism. ¶4. Preferred Project Dates: The project consists of 5 days, including 3 program days and 2 travel days: First Choice: March 23 to 27, 2008 Second Choice: November 5 to 9, 2008 ¶5. PROJECTED BUDGET (approximations based on a 2-person group over 5 days): International round-trip air travel for 2 persons: $4,500 Honorarium for 2 persons x $200 x 3 days: $1,200 Lodging for 2 persons x 4 nights x $291 per night: $2,330 M&IE for Program Days - $105 x 2 persons x 3 days: $630 M&IE for Travel Days - $105 x .75 x 2 persons x 2 days: $45 Equipment rental: $85 Miscellaneous Expenses (Promotional materials, excess baggage fees): $1,150 Hala Airport Expeditor Services for 2 persons x $30 x 2: $60 Total: $10, 000 ¶6. Contact Information: Please e-mail Tunisia Owens at owenstm@state.gov or via telephone on +965-259-1100. ********************************************* Visit Embassy Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website ********************************************* MISENHEIMER