In this file photo, players challenge for the ball during a league match.

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 10: The Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Indoor Hall Complex will host the opening of the 59th edition of the volleyball league today, featuring two exciting matches. The first match will see Al-Salibkhat take on Al-Nasr at 5:30 PM, followed by defending champions Kuwait Club facing Kazma at 7:30 PM.

The league format begins with a single preliminary round. The top six teams will advance to the Premier Division, divided into three groups, with the first-place team in the preliminary round earning a bonus for its strong performance. Teams finishing seventh to tenth, along with the youth national team, will compete in the First Division, also organized into three groups.

This season features ten clubs: Kuwait Club, Qadsia, Kazma, Burgan, Al-Shabab, Al-Arabi, Al-Nasr, Al-Salibkhat, Al-Sahel, and Al-Yarmouk.

Kuwait Club recently won the Union Championship, the season’s first tournament. Qadsia remains the most successful club in league history with 23 titles, followed by Kuwait Club and Kazma with 15 each, Al-Arabi with 4, and Al-Jahra with one.

The new season is expected to see fierce competition among the top contenders — Kuwait, Qadsia, and Kazma — as they aim to secure more titles. Meanwhile, Burgan, Al-Arabi, and Al-Shabab will look to play the role of dark horses, while Al-Salibkhat, Al-Nasr, Al-Sahel, and Al-Yarmouk face an uphill battle to challenge for the top spots.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff