The 2019 GCC Games have been awarded to Kuwait ©GCC

Kuwait has been awarded the hosting rights for the 2019 Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Games - despite the country's suspension by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The decision was confirmed at the GCC National Olympic Committees Presidents’ Executive Office meeting in Qatar's capital Doha, and is an indication that Kuwait has not been completely frozen out of the international sporting scene.

Alleged Government interference prompted the IOC to suspend the country last month - with Kuwait describing this move as "completely unacceptable".

This has not deterred the GCC, however, from handing the country hosting rights to its Games, which features athletes from Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Kuwait.

Kuwait remains suspended by the International Olympic Committee
Kuwait remains suspended by the International Olympic Committee ©Getty Images

The IOC claimed a new law threatened the autonomy of the Kuwait Olympic Committee (KOC) and the country's Federations, and Kuwaiti athletes will not be able to compete at Rio 2016 under their own flag while the suspension remains in place.

At least 10 other International Federations have followed the IOC's lead but Kuwait has acted angrily to what it sees as an unjust campaign against them.

The country has taken steps to break down its relationship with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), including the cancellation of a diplomatic immunity agreement.

This has particular complexities as the OCA headquarters are in Kuwait City while its President, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, is from the country.

"Several" offers have been made to the OCA from countries willing to house their HQ should the organisation have to withdraw from Kuwait, it has been claimed.

The latest edition of the GCC Games took place in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, last month, with athletics, football, basketball, table tennis, handball, bowling, karate, swimming, goalball, weightlifting and volleyball on the programme.

insidethegames has made a request for more details on Kuwait's hosting.



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