With just a population of 3-3.5 million of whom only
1 million are native Kuwaitis, this Persian Gulf country
with its vast oil resources is considered to be the
third richest country in the world. Invasion by Iraq
may have set them back in the early 90s, but Kuwait
has bounced back both financially and socially.
Kuwait is divided into 6 governorates and 9 islands.
Following are the islands:
Warbah
Bubiyan
Miskan
Failaka
Auhah
Umm
An Namil
Kubbar
Qaruh
Umm
Al Maradim
Warbah
Island which
has an area of 37 square km and is considered one of the
northern mudflat islands is administered by the Al Jahra
governorate. It is located near the mouth of the Euphrates
river. There is a coastguard post funded partially by
UN. There is no permanent settlement on the islands, which
are located very close to the Iraqi mainland. No mention
of football on this mud flat, only possibility would be
coastguard personnel, but then again, they have other
responsibilities in the area.
Bubiyan
Island is
located just south of Warbah island. It is the largest
coastal island of Kuwait with an area of 863 square km
. The island is connected to the mainland by a concrete
girder bridge but is only used by the military. Once again,
if the military have kicked the ball around during their
leisure time in full view of the iraqis on the coast,
then that would be the biggest possibility but that is
highly unlikely.
Miskan
island is
part of the Failaka Islands, which are governed by Al
Asimah governorate.Only 0.75 square km in area, this island
is uninhabited. It has a lighthouse which used to be manned
by one person who lived there with his family. Perhaps
his children played around with a football while they
were bored but no teams here.
Failaka
Island has
an area of 20 square km and is a tourist attraction but
is only accessible by boat. There is a village in Failaka
named Az Zawr although exact figures on the population
are unknown. There is definitely football being played
on the streets although no good records exist of any formal
games being played there. The island has historical significance
too as Alexander the Greats army conquered the island
on their way to the East.
Auhah
Island , with
an area of 0.35 square km, is also uninhabited and the
only distinguishing features on this island are a lighthouse
and heliport. No football activity here.
Umm
An Namil island is
located in the Kuwait Bay and has an area of 0.30 square
km. It has some interesting archeological sites and is
located only 600 meters away from mainland. No sightings
of any archeologists playing football on these ruins.
Shuwaikh
Island is
very small, with an area of only 0.012 square km.It is
also known as Qurain island. It actually doesnt exist
as an island anymore as is connected by a land bridge
to the Shuwaikh industrial area. No football activity
here.
Kubbar
island is
part of the southern islands with an area of 0.11 square
km.Inhabited by wildlife and sandy in nature, it is popular
with scuba divers. There are also graves of six Iraqi
soldiers on the island.Otherwise, uninhabited. If scuba
divers play football before diving, then there is hope,
otherwise, no activity now or in future expected.
Qaruh
island has
an area of only 0.035 square km, making it the smallest
of these islands. No inhabitanats. Famous for its petroleum
sediments. No football here.
Umm
Al Maradim island is
0.65 square km in area and is uninhabited. It lies between
Kuwaiti and Saudi territorial waters. No football activity.
