Al-Shabab delegation.

IZMIR, Turkey, Aug 21: Kazma’s first-handball team edged past Turkish side Eskişehir 40-36 in a friendly match. The game was part of Kazma’s current training camp in Izmir, Turkey, where the team is preparing for the new season and the upcoming Arab Clubs Handball Championship. The tournament, hosted by Kuwait Club from September 12–22, will also feature Al-Arabi and Al-Salmiya. Kazma has two more friendlies scheduled before returning to Kuwait on August 28.

The Kazma delegation is led by team director Salem Abdul-Salam and includes administrator Hamza Al-Wazzan, Serbian coach Božo, technical analyst Waleed Al-Anzi, fitness coach Abdullah Maseer, goalkeeping coach Omar Al-Mulaih, physiotherapist Nader Qassem, and 16 players.

Hamza Al-Wazzan praised the organization and progress of the Izmir camp, highlighting the players’ commitment to the technical and administrative staff’s guidance. “With important competitions ahead, including the Premier League and Arab Championship, we must maximize the benefits of this Turkish camp to represent Kuwaiti handball at its best,” he said. He also thanked Kazma’s board and management for facilitating all team preparations.

Meanwhile, Al-Shabab’s youth handball teams for the U-12 and U-14 categories have begun their training camp in Cairo, arriving yesterday to prepare for the new season.

The Al-Shabab delegation is headed by board member Jaber Al-Zanki and includes team director Mubarak Dahal, administrator Abdulwahab Haidar, coaches Imad Youssef and Hassan Al-Hassan, along with players Omar Al-Muraished, Hussein Al-Qattan, Badr Al-Salem, Imran Al-Omran, Omar Khaled, Mohammed Al-Ajmi, Ahmed Talal, Bani Al-Fadhli, Ahmed Al-Sarraj, Ali Karam, Khalid Al-Saad, Abdulrahman Faisal, Ismail Al-Masri, Mohammed Marhej, Ahmed Marhej, Abdullah Hamed Mz’al, Ali Hamed Mz’al, Ali Ahmed Al-Shammari, and Shoaib Al-Youha.

Mubarak Dahal emphasized that the Cairo camp aims to build strong, competitive youth teams and develop a new generation capable of joining the first team in the future. “The club has entrusted me with building new teams, and we are working to fulfill the management’s ambitions by developing the sport from the grassroots through youth programs, schools, and modern training methods,” he added.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff