|
| |
TO
OUR “FIRST LADY”…
 It
would be very difficult for me to talk about Sheikha Fadia Al Sabah, as my
knowledge of Kuwait is so basic it is ridiculous.
And I so wanted to hear a bit more about the person behind the name,
behind the title…
So who better than Robert Edwards to talk about an amazing lady he
knows much better than I ever will…
?????? ????? ????? ????? ???? ??????
???? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??????? |
 |
 “Twenty
years, 180 tournaments, and you may well think that you’ve seen it all.
Kuwait proved me wrong.
Tournaments are about people, and the First Lady
of the Event is the President of the Management Committee, Sheikha
FadiaAl Sabah.
When I first met her, before the inaugural tournament, she welcomed me at
her home, and we discussed in detail the style that she wanted for this
event, so that it would be a fitting tribute to her late sister, the
Sheikha Al Saad.
For our readers whose knowledge of the Middle East is only what they read
in their local paper, let me tell you that the image you may have is quite
often the wrong one. Sheikha Fadia and her late sister Sheikha Al Saad are
a new brand of female leaders. There are equally at home, caring for their
families, in Sheikha Fadia’s case, of her husband Sheikh Slaman and their
children, as they are in a boardroom or trailing the world heading up
major commercial franchises.
We joked together and on television that she was my first ever female
boss, and wasn’t it strange that it should happen in the Middle-East…
Her planning of this event was meticulous, and always it was clear that
her driving force was the love of her family, and in particular her late
sister.
|
 The
words she spoke at our opening ceremony this year produce applause from
the ladies in the audience, as she made the case for women’s role in
commerce. Then her words softened as she spoke of her sister’s memory.
For me, it was emotional to see Sheikha Latiffa, her mother, openly moved
by her daughter’s oration. Sheikha Latiffa is married to the Crown Prince,
Sheik Saad Abdullah al Sabah.
In recent years, I have been critical of some of the falling standards of
my own country. It is ironic that here in Kuwait, you see so much respect
of older people, of parents, and of grand parents.
Sheikha Fadia clearly is loved by all of those around here. But it is
touching to see the respect that she shows for her sister, her parents,
her government, and her country.
It’s an honour for me to be part of her team, and to help in some way to
perpetuate the memory of the late Sheikha Al Saad, and in doing so, put
the spotlight on Kuwait where they balance so well the old tradition
together with the cutting edge of commercial entrerprise.
Thank you, Sheikha Fadia, for making our stay in Kuweit always welcoming,
and so professional.
You are indeed our “First Lady”.
Robert Edwards |
|
 |
|
Sheikha Fadia
