Hassan Saleh leads the players in their final training session.

KUWAIT CITY, June 4: The Kuwait junior handball team, composed of players born in 2008-2009, continues its rigorous daily training sessions at the Handball Federation Hall in Daiya. The team is led by Croatian coach Ivan, assisted by national coach Khaled Al-Mulla and team administrator Youssef Shaheen. Kuwait is gearing up to compete in the first Asian Under-17 Championship, scheduled to take place in Amman, Jordan, from July 1 to 11. This tournament serves as a qualifier for the inaugural World Junior Championship, set to be held in Morocco in late October.

Next Saturday, the team will embark on a training camp in Croatia and Slovenia, running until June 25. The camp will feature several friendly matches, after which the team will return to Kuwait before heading to Jordan for the championship.

Meanwhile, the 2012-2013 Junior team is also training daily at Daiya Hall under Croatian coach Ten Boy, with national assistant Hassan Saleh and goalkeeping coach Khaled Madouh. Hassan Saleh noted that the national team currently comprises 60 players, selected for their height, skills, and speed.

He added, “As part of the Federation’s Board of Directors’ strategic plan and the Training Authority’s vision, these junior players are carefully chosen and trained daily to strengthen the age-group teams with the best talents for the future.”

In addition, Saud Mufrej has been appointed assistant coach of the youth team, with Khaled Madouh continuing as goalkeeper coach for the juniors.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff