Kuwait begins Asian Junior Handball Championship campaign with World Cup in sight

A file photo of players preparing for the championship.

AMMAN, Jordan, Aug 19: Kuwait begins its campaign in the 11th Asian Men’s Junior Handball Championship today in Amman, Jordan, with a place at the 2027 World Championship firmly in its sights.

The tournament runs until August 31 and features some of Asia’s leading youth teams. Under the competition format, the four semifinalists will earn qualification for the 2027 World Championship, making a top-four finish the “Blue Juniors’” primary target.

Kuwait opens its Group B campaign against Syria, while Qatar faces Saudi Arabia in the other group match. Group A features Uzbekistan against South Korea and India against Bahrain.

The Kuwait squad completed an intensive preparation program, including a European training camp in Slovenia and Croatia, where it played several warm-up matches. The team then returned home for a final camp, featuring two friendlies against Bahrain, who are also competing in the Asian championship.

The players and coaching staff enter the tournament with high ambitions, hoping to reach the semifinals and secure a long-awaited World Championship berth. The squad includes several promising talents who are eager to make their mark on the continental stage.

The team has also received strong backing from the Kuwait Handball Federation and the Public Authority for Sport, with the technical and administrative staff working to provide the players with the ideal preparation and conditions to achieve their goals.

Meanwhile, Handball Federation board member Mishal Al-Qabandi said a recent coordination meeting with sports directors from local clubs produced constructive discussions on the positives and shortcomings of last season.

The meeting also examined several proposals aimed at developing handball competitions and improving organizational standards ahead of the new season.

Al-Qabandi stressed that the federation values the clubs’ views and recommendations, describing them as essential partners in the development of the sport. He added that several technical and organizational issues raised during the meeting would be referred to the federation’s relevant committees for further consideration.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff