Players battling for the ball, in this file photo.

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 1: The 58th edition of the Kuwait Premier Handball League launches today at Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Indoor Sports Complex with two opening-round clashes. Al-Nasr faces Kuwait Club at 5:00 p.m., followed by Qadsia against Burgan at 6:30 p.m. The first round concludes tomorrow with Al-Arabi taking on Kazma and Salmiya meeting Sulaibikhat.

This season’s premier division features eight teams, including Qadsia and Al-Nasr, who earned promotion after finishing first and second in the First Division last year.

Several clubs fine-tuned their squads abroad: Kuwait, Burgan, Sulaibikhat, and Al-Arabi trained in Bosnia; Kazma held camp in Izmit, Turkey; and Salmiya prepared in Qatar. Qadsia and Al-Nasr were the only teams to stay local.

Four Kuwaiti coaches will lead their sides this season: Hussein Habib (Burgan), Waleed Salmeen (Sulaibikhat), Yaqoub Al-Mousawi (Salmiya), and Hussein Habib (Al-Arabi). Foreign coaches include Algerian Saeed Hijazi (Kuwait Club), Tunisian Amen Al-Qafsi (Qadsia), Serbian Bozo (Kazma), and Bosnian Davor (Al-Nasr).

For the first time, teams are allowed three foreign professionals, with two permitted on court at once.

Kuwait Club added Montenegrin Vladan Lipovina and Portuguese Victor Iturriza alongside Qatari Frankis Marzo.

Burgan brought in Japanese Kosuke Yasuhira, Croatian Stipe Mandalinic, and Serbian Jovica Nikolic.

Kazma signed Tunisians Anouar Ben Abdullah and Mohamed Ferad, plus Slovenian Labin Ganos.

Qadsia landed Tunisians Rayan Zriat and Jihad Araar with Croatian Nadeem Hadzic.

Salmiya secured Tunisians Khaled Al-Haj and Mohamed Al-Sousi, along with Austrian Janko Brovic.

Sulaibikhat added French-Algerian Nouri Ben Halima and Portuguese Gonzalo Ribeiro.

Al-Nasr retained only one foreigner, Tunisian Hani Al-Qarawi.

Assistant Secretary of the Handball Federation Mishaal Al-Qabandi said the new rule aims to raise competition and end Kuwait Club’s dominance.

“The three-foreigner rule is part of our plan to increase parity and push the overall standard of the league,” Al-Qabandi explained. “If clubs balance their rosters and coaching staff, the championship could be up for grabs.”

He added that referees have undergone extensive workshops and training to ensure they are fully prepared for the new season.

Burgan handball director Abdulaziz Najib believes the league will be stronger and more competitive than ever.

“Adding a third foreigner benefits local players,” Najib said. “They get to train and compete alongside world-class talent, which raises their game.”

After finishing second last season and qualifying for Asian competitions, Burgan has reinforced its squad with targeted signings.

“Our goal this year is the league title,” Najib confirmed. “We have a strong national coach, an experienced staff, and the core of last year’s team intact. With our new additions, we are ready to compete at the highest level.”

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff