Asian Club Handball Championship begins in Kuwait

Burgan continues preparations with friendly against Al-Khaleej Saudi.

KUWAIT CITY, June 4: The 28th Asian Men’s Club League Handball Championship, which serves as a qualifier for the 2026 IHF Men’s Club World Championship (Super Globe) in Egypt, gets underway tomorrow at the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Sports Complex. The tournament, hosted by Kuwait Club, will run until June 15.

The competition features seven of Asia’s leading clubs battling for continental glory and a coveted place at the Super Globe. Representing Kuwait are host club Kuwait and Burgan, who face strong opposition from Saudi Arabia’s Al-Khaleej, Bahrain’s Al-Najma, Qatar’s Al-Arabi and Al-Duhail, and defending champion Sharjah of the UAE.

Burgan completed an overseas training camp in Cairo before returning to play warm-up matches against Kuwait Club and Al-Khaleej, while Kuwait Club prepared locally ahead of the tournament.

Following the withdrawal of the Chinese representative earlier this week, the Asian Handball Federation revised the competition format. The seven teams will now compete in a single round-robin stage, with the top four advancing to the semifinals. The first-place team will face the fourth-placed side, while the second and third-ranked teams meet for the other spot in the final.

A new draw was conducted Tuesday evening at Safir Fintas Hotel after the Chinese club’s withdrawal.

Tournament Director Sameh Al-Hajri confirmed that all organizational and technical arrangements have been finalized, stressing that the various committees are fully prepared to welcome the participating teams and delegations.

Al-Hajri described the championship as one of the strongest editions in recent years due to the high quality and competitiveness of the participating clubs. He also highlighted Kuwait’s proven track record in hosting major continental events and expressed confidence that the tournament would showcase the country’s organizational capabilities.

Qatar’s Al Sadd remains the most successful club in the tournament’s history with six titles. Kuwait’s Kazma and Qadsia have each won the championship twice, alongside Qatar’s Al Jaish and Al Duhail and Bahrain’s Al Najma.

Former champions with one title include Kuwait Club, Al Fahaheel and Al Sulaibikhat of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli, Mudar, Al Noor and Al Khaleej, Qatar’s Al Rayyan, Lekhwiya and Al Arabi, and UAE side Sharjah.

Meanwhile, Al Sulaibikhat has secured the services of Kuwaiti international Hussein Karam for the 2026-27 season as part of its efforts to strengthen the squad.

The club previously appointed national coach Hussein Habib and signed Serbian player Jovan Milsavic, Brazilian international Leandro da Silva, and French star Nicolas Claire.

Team manager Hussein Siwan praised the support provided by the club’s management, expressing confidence that the coaching staff and players will deliver strong performances and achieve positive results in the upcoming season.

By Khaled Al–Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff