Hussein Habib is the new coach of Salmiya.

KUWAIT CITY, Feb In a bid to strengthen Salmiya Club’s handball team, the club has appointed national coach Hussein Habib to lead the first team for the remainder of the current season.

Habib is one of Kuwait’s most respected coaches, known for his impact on every team he has managed. He has previously coached Al-Arabi and Al-Sulaibikhat, achieving sixth place in the league, and Burgan, where he guided the team to a league runner-up finish and secured its first-ever qualification for the Asian Club Championship. He has also coached Qadsia’s handball squad.

Commenting on his new role, Habib thanked the Salmiya Club board and handball staff for their trust and confidence. He described Al-Samawi as one of Kuwait’s leading handball clubs, with a long-standing history of domestic and international achievements, and expressed his determination to succeed in his new position.

The Kuwaiti Handball Premier League resumes this Friday with Round 9 matches, including Salmiya vs. Burgan and Al-Arabi vs. Al-Nasr. The following day, Kazma faces Al-Sulaibikhat, while Kuwait Club clashes with Qadsia in the round’s marquee matchup.

Currently, Kuwait Club leads the standings with 16 points from 8 wins, followed by Kazma with 11 points. Burgan sits third with 8 points, edging Qadsia in fourth on goal difference. Al-Sulaibikhat is fifth with 7 points, Al-Arabi sixth with 6 points, Salmiya seventh with 6 points, and Al-Nasr is eighth with 2 points.

The Premier League follows a three-group format, with the championship awarded to the team with the most points. The team finishing eighth is relegated to Division One, while the seventh-place team will face the second-place Division One team to determine promotion.

The league had been suspended since October due to Kuwaiti clubs’ participation in international competitions and the national team’s involvement in the Asian Championship, which concluded last week in Kuwait. Kuwait secured third place, while Bahrain defeated Qatar to claim the title.

Meanwhile, Qadsia Club has strengthened its roster ahead of the league’s return by signing Mohammed Al-Anzi, Abdullah Al-Mutawa, and Faraj Salem to the first team.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff