Kuwait eyes a deep run as the West Asia Volleyball Championship opens in Muscat

Players preparing for the opening match against Syria.

MUSCAT, July 13: The second West Asia Men’s Volleyball Championship gets underway today in Muscat, Oman, with seven national teams competing for the title in a tournament that runs until July 22.

The opening match will feature hosts Oman against Lebanon in Group B, as teams from across the region begin their quest for championship glory.

Kuwait enters the competition with strong ambitions after completing an intensive preparation phase that included a training camp in Cairo. During the camp, the “Blue Volleyball” team played four friendly matches as the coaching staff worked to improve the players’ technical and physical readiness and finalize the squad’s lineup.

Kuwait will begin its campaign tomorrow against Syria in Group A, while Iraq and Saudi Arabia will also meet in another Group B fixture.

The seven participating teams have been divided into two groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semifinals. The remaining teams will compete in placement matches to determine their final rankings.

Led by Argentine coach Julian Alvarez, Kuwait hopes to capitalize on the team’s growing cohesion and the experience of several key players as it aims for a deep run and a place in the final. The tournament also serves as valuable preparation for future continental challenges.

The championship has drawn considerable interest from the West Asia Volleyball Association, which is focused on strengthening competition among regional teams and contributing to the sport's continued growth. The Omani organizing committee has completed all arrangements for the event, which concludes on July 22.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff