Al-Arabi defender holds back an opponent during the league match between Al-Arabi and Al-Nasr.

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 7: Burgan returned to league action in style, defeating Al-Salmiya 30–21 in their Round Nine clash at the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Sports Complex. The match marked the resumption of the Handball Premier League following a 90-day stoppage, caused by preparations for Kuwait’s national team ahead of the Islamic Solidarity Games and the 22nd Asian Cup, hosted by Kuwait last month.

The victory lifted Burgan to 10 points, placing it third in the league standings, just behind Kazma (11 points. Al-Salmiya, meanwhile, remained on six points in seventh place.

In another fixture, Al-Arabi powered past Al-Nasr with a 35–23 win, moving “the Greens” up to eight points and fifth place, while Al-Nasr stayed rooted to the bottom with just two points.

Looking ahead, Al-Salmiya will meet league leader and defending champion Kuwait Club, Burgan take on Al-Nasr, and Al-Arabi face Al-Sulaibikhat in the next round.

In the First Division, two matches were played last Thursday. Khaitan edged Al-Yarmouk 30–29 in a tight contest, while Al-Qurain produced a commanding display to thrash Al-Sahel 50–29.

Khaitan remains top of the First Division table with 12 points, followed by Al-Qurain on 10, Al-Yarmouk with seven, the Youth National Team on five, and Al-Fahaheel with four, while Al-Shabab are still without a point.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff