The CAN 2025 Olympics wrapped up with a strong emphasis on sports and physical therapy. This reinforced their importance in disease prevention and recovery. Organized by the National Cancer Awareness Campaign (CAN), the event successfully merged athletic competition with health education. It attracted large crowds and active participation.
Therefore, Dr. Khaled Ahmed Al-Saleh, CAN chairman and oncology consultant, stressed the value of youth events in spreading health awareness. This year’s Olympics specifically highlighted how sports and physical therapy can aid in preventing illnesses and supporting rehabilitation. A key moment was a lecture by Dr. Hamad Al-Kandari, a senior physical therapist. He explained how physical therapy benefits both athletes and patients. Dr. Al-Saleh reinforced this, calling rehabilitation a crucial part of cancer recovery.
Moreover, citing the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Al-Saleh noted that rehabilitation helps reduce the impact of chronic diseases like cancer. It also improves patients’ mobility and independence. Globally, over 2.4 billion people require rehabilitation services. Yet nearly 40% of those in need don’t receive them. Studies show that 60-90% of cancer patients experience physical and psychological side effects that rehabilitation can alleviate. Additionally, around 43% of patients need physical therapy. This underscores the gap in care.
Furthermore, the closing ceremony honored winners, volunteers, sponsors, and media partners. Dr. Iman Al-Shammari, CAN secretary, commended the Haido-CAN team for their efforts. She urged everyone to embrace regular exercise for better health. Abdullah Khalid Al-Saleh, event director, thanked participants and supporters. He praised the innovative blend of sports and physical therapy with awareness, calling it a step toward hope for patients and survivors.
In addition, the Australian team claimed first place, followed by Greece in second and Japan in third. Captain Saad Al-Houti’s presence motivated athletes. Many of them see him as a role model. By focusing on sports and physical therapy, the CAN 2025 Olympics left a lasting message: movement and rehabilitation are vital for health and recovery. The event set a strong example for future initiatives in Kuwait and beyond.
