Kuwait claims bronze in inaugural the Arab Handball Championship

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KUWAIT CITY, Nov 25: Kuwait’s junior handball team secured the third position in the inaugural Arab Championship of 2006, in Tunisia. They clinched the bronze medal by defeating Algeria 29-24. The outstanding performance of Kuwait’s goalkeeper, Abbas Al-Qallaf, earned him the Best Player award.

Tunisia claimed the championship title after defeating the Saudi Arabia 28-24. Fadel Al-Nimr, the President of the Arab and Saudi Handball Federations, honored the top three teams in a crowning ceremony.

Shabib Al-Hajri, the head of the Kuwaiti delegation, commended the strong performance of the Kuwaiti players, who overcame the challenge with minimal preparation, consisting of local training and friendly matches with Saudi and Bahraini teams in Kuwait. Despite the disparity in preparation methods, the Kuwaiti team’s dedication secured them the third-place position.

Al-Hajri expressed the commitment to groom this team for the future, citing their promising potential. He stated, “With proper refinement, this team will become of great importance.”

Youssef Al-Shaheen, the team’s manager, affirmed that the players met expectations, putting in significant efforts during the matches. He also praised the technical and administrative staff for their contributions.

Kuwait delegation, led by Shabib Al-Hajri, included key figures such as Faisal Siwan, director of the national teams, Youssef Al-Shaheen, the manager, coach Marko Martinovic, assistants Hussein Habib, Ayman Al-Sheikh, and Gerard Powell, along with players Abbas Al-Qallaf, Saad Al-Khamis, Muhammad Al-Anazi, Fahd Al-Shammari, Hassan Ahmed, Ali Badr, Obaid Al-Shammari, Khaled Al-Khalfan, Yaqoub Hajia, Salem Al-Mahmoud, Abdul Latif Walid Fayrouz, Youssef Muhammad Madouh, Abdul-Wahab Ahmed Al-Mutawa, Khairallah Al-Shammari, Yaqoub Hajia, Hassan Boland, Hussein Boland, Faraj Saleh, Hussein Mandani, and Issa Al-Obaid.

The delegation is set to return to the country at six in the morning today.

Khaled El Anzi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

This news has been read 689 times!