(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) KUWAIT, Jan 30 (KUNA) -- An annual Kuwaiti journalism contest came to a close amid a lavish ceremony late on Tuesday, with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah in attendance, alongside KUNA's Director General and Chairman Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij Al-Sabah. In his role as His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah's representative, Sheikh Sabah Khaled said the contest, christened after one of Kuwait's forefathers, Sheikh Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, revolves around the country's youth.
The contest had made "tangible progress" over the years, starting out as a local initiative only to morph into an endeavor bringing together aspiring journalists from across the Arab Gulf region, he said.
Congratulating winners of the contest on the fruits of their labor, he spoke of how the media has evolved over time, saying the contest is an opportunity for journalists to further their careers.
Kuwait's Information Minister Mohammad Al-Jabri said he was highly impressed with the level of competition seen in the contest, which featured works from Kuwait and abroad.
The "Sheikh Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah Journalism Excellence Award," which acknowledges exceptional journalism, has met its objective of motivating young Kuwaiti journalists, he said.
"The contest has become a platform for journalistic creativity and prowess, KUNA's director general and chairman said, thanking His Highness the Prime Minister for sponsoring the event and for his continued support for Arab media.
He went on to congratulate the winners, saying their talent will help propel Arab media to new levels, as he wished them the very best in their future endeavors.
Kuwait's state-run news agency has been the "proud host" of the contest since its inception more than a decade ago, Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij said.
This year's ceremony was held shortly ahead of Kuwait's national celebrations, coinciding with the 13th anniversary of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's rise to power, said Ayman Al-Ali, the head of the contest's higher committee.
He pointed out that this year's contest comes against the backdrop of a major transition in the media world, where the social media has fundamentally changed the landscape of news consumption.
Meanwhile, in a statement to KUNA, representative of the Omani Journalists Society at the ceremony, Khalfan bin Saeed Al Hassani, praised contestants' efforts.
He stressed importance of such competitions that create a spirit of competition among journalists and help them in building their journalistic abilities. He added that the Omanis participated in this session for the first time.
On her part, winner of the category of the youth of the Gulf Cooperation Council from the Sultanate of Oman, the editor in chief of the Oman newspaper, Khalsah Al-Shibaniah, expressed her happiness to participate in the competition.
Al-Shibaniah said that the report, she participated in, talks about five species of endangered turtles hosted by the Sultanate of Oman.
Fawaz Karami of KUNA came second for the best report for his piece titled, "bankers of Vintk." Karami explains that his report, one of the most recent reports in the field of economics, includes good scenarios, which will serve communities as it has resonated well since its publication.
The second winner of the best Kuwaiti youth news magazine, Faisal Al-Rashidi (KUNA), said that the competition encourages journalists and media professionals to develop their performance and media capabilities.
For her part, third-rank winner for the best press report (youth category) Shahad Kamal, also of KUNA, said "I have participated for the first time.
"All praise for the joint work that resulted in a report on Kuwaiti modernity and the idea of the report is new and has not been addressed before." Kamal added that "this victory is due to my work at KUNA, which trained and developed my skills and enriched my experience." She added:" This award makes her look forward to delivering more and making greater efforts for excellence and creativity at work." As for the winners of this session, winner of the first place in the general category of investigative journalism was Yousef al-Mutairi of the newspaper, Al-Qabas. First place in public relations was won by Rana Salem from Al-Seyassah newspaper, second by Mohammed Ghazi from Al-Jarida daily and third by Moussa Diab from KUNA.
In the section of the press report for the general category, top winner was Mohammed Ahmed of Al-Nahar newspaper. Second-rank winner was Fawaz Karami of KUNA. Third winner was Mohammed Awada from the newspaper Al-Anbaa.
In the press photography section of the general category, the first place was won by Yasser Al-Zayat of Kuwait Times newspaper. Second-rank winner was Hosni Ahmed of Al-Qabas, and third came Asaad Abdullah from Al Rai.
In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Youth category, Khaleej Al Shaibani won it.
In the Youth category, Fawaz Al-Otaibi (KUNA) won the first place.
Nasser Al Husseini of Al Rai won first place in the Youth Journalists' Meeting.
Khaled Al-Mutairi WON the first place in the Youth Journalism Report, and Faisal Al-Rashidi won the second place.
In audiovisual, Bibi Al-Khudhari (Al-Qabas) won the first place in the best video report.
Winner of first place in best program provider was Ahmed Al-Farhan. Second came Ali Qatami. Third winner was Jaber Saidi. Department of caricature of the youth won first place -- Mohammed Mashmoum -- second came Mona Tamimi of the newspaper Farnas News and the third Mohammed Al-Obeidi from Al-Ghad newspaper. (end) ays.asa.bb.nam
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