The volleyball team is preparing for the West Asian Championship.

KUWAIT CITY, July 5: The Kuwait national men’s volleyball team has been drawn into the highly competitive Group B—dubbed the “Fiery Group”—for the first West Asian Men’s Volleyball Championship, alongside regional powerhouses Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman. Group A features Bahrain, Jordan, the UAE, and Lebanon.

The draw took place via video conference and was attended by Nayef Al-Khamili, Assistant Secretary-General of the Kuwait Volleyball Association, who extended his best wishes to the team. He emphasized the importance of this regional competition in showcasing the development of Kuwait's volleyball talent.

The team will depart for Tunisia tomorrow (Monday) for a training camp running through July 17, ahead of the championship’s kickoff in Manama, Bahrain, on July 19. The camp will include four friendly matches, providing valuable experience, particularly for younger squad members.

Al-Khamili, who also heads the delegation, stated, "The Tunisia camp will play a crucial role in building team chemistry and match readiness, especially for our young and promising talents."

The Kuwaiti delegation includes administrator Mohammed Malallah, Argentine head coach Julian Alvarez, national assistant coach Zaid Al-Kazemi, physiotherapist Mohammed Al-Yamam, referee Hussein Abdul-Ali, and 14 players.

Assistant coach Zaid Al-Kazemi acknowledged the difficulty of the draw, saying, "We’ve landed in a very strong group, but we will treat every match like a final. If we want top results, we must fight for every point.”

Al-Kazemi added that the team’s foundation is built on youthful energy and ambition, supported by a core of experienced players. He stressed the importance of long-term planning and continued support, noting that these young athletes, with proper development, have the potential to shape Kuwait's volleyball future.

He also highlighted the team's preparations, which began in June, with an emphasis on physical fitness and individual skill development. The Tunisia camp will further refine the tactical and technical aspects, ensuring the players are fully ready for the challenges ahead.

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff