Kuwait Times

Published Date: June 20, 2010
By Nawara Fattahova, Staff Writer

KUWAIT: The sudden death of Sheikh Basil Salem Al-Sabah on Thursday night was a great shock to everyone in Kuwait, especially because it was reported yesterday that he was shot in his Diwaniya in Mesilah. Sheikh Basil Al-Salem Al-Sabah was the Chairman of the Kuwait Quarter Mile Club. He struggled and worked hard to provide Kuwait's car racing enthusiasts a safe place to race, especially after the Municipality closed the previous quarter mile racing track on Sixth Ring Road.

While his dream to establish a racing club was not completed, he was able to initiate the Kuwait Quarter Mile Club. Sheikh Basil morally and financially supported Kuwaiti racing champions and their teams when participating aboard. He was eager to bring fame to Kuwait's racing champions internationally.

The car racing champions were close to him, and perhaps are amongst those who feel his loss the most. Issam Al-Najadi, a racing champion, was greatly touched by the tragedy. "Sheikh Basil Al-Salem was the real power and support of this sport and he realized the ambition of the sport's champions. I personally feel very sad for losing him. His death is a great loss for car sports, especially the quarter mile race, which became active and reached a high level because of his efforts. I knew him very well and
he was really a successful leader in his work," he noted.

Salah Bin Eidan, international racer and the Administrative Manager of the club expressed his sadness. "It was a shock to me and all the members of the Club and will last for a long time. He was a brother and father for us. It was his work to bring back car racing to Kuwait after the old race track was closed.

All those who met him personally realized how great of a person he was. "Although I met with Sheikh Basil only a few times, I do enjoy rally racing. While it is not related to the quarter mile race, I still feel very sad for his death. I have many friends who worked with him or was a member of the Quarter Mile Club. I heard from them how helpful and supportive he was. His loss is a great pity for Kuwait and the GCC (Gulf Cooperative Council)," said Meshari Al-Thafiri, a Kuwaiti rally race champion.

Even the journalists who met him feel sorry for losing such a great sports personality. "A smile was always on his face and he always treated everyone well. He worked hard to create the Quarter Mile Club and bring true the dreams of car racing lovers. They all loved him and he loved them as well. Even though his health condition kept him in a wheelchair, his determination was strong," stated Abdulrida Al-Samaak, a sports journalist.