Al-Merri: West Asia Volleyball Championship valuable for Kuwait's preparation

An Iraqi player spikes the ball toward the goal as Kuwaiti players scramble to defend during the West Asia Men’s Volleyball Championship in Bausher, Muscat.

MUSCAT, July 22: Kuwait settled for fourth place at the 2nd West Asia Men's Volleyball Championship after suffering a 3-1 defeat to Iraq in the third-place playoff.

The tournament concluded at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher, Muscat, with host Oman claiming the title after beating Qatar 3-0 in the final. Saudi Arabia finished fifth, Syria sixth, and Lebanon seventh.

Kuwait Volleyball Association President Dr. Jaber Al-Merri described the championship as a valuable opportunity for the national team to regain competitive rhythm and prepare for upcoming events following the suspension of sporting activities in the country due to regional developments.

Al-Merri said the team entered the tournament determined to challenge for a podium finish despite facing several obstacles, including the prolonged halt in domestic competition and injuries to a number of key players.

He added that Kuwait's next assignment will be the Arab Championship in Jordan this October. The remaining fixtures of the 2025-26 domestic season will resume in September, while the new season is scheduled to begin in October.

Despite missing out on the medals, Al-Merri expressed satisfaction with the team's overall performance, noting that the interruption of sporting activities had affected the players' fitness and match readiness. He emphasized that the squad's objective had been to reach the final and compete for the championship title.