International referee Hussein Al-Tamimi

MANAMA, July 19:  Kuwait’s national volleyball team will take on Saudi Arabia today in its second match of the inaugural West Asia Men’s Volleyball Championship, being held at Isa bin Rashid Hall in Bahrain. The Group A clash is scheduled to begin at 1:00 pm. as part of the tournament’s second round of fixtures.

Also in Group A, Qatar will take on Oman, while Group B features two matchups: the UAE vs. Jordan and Bahrain vs. Lebanon.

The tournament officially began late last night, with Kuwait facing Oman in its opening fixture.

In preparation for the championship, the Kuwaiti squad held an overseas training camp in Tunisia, where it played four friendlies—winning two and losing two. Under the leadership of Argentine head coach Julián Álvarez and assistant coach Zaid Al-Kazemi, the team aims to deliver strong performances and secure a spot in the semifinals.

This first-ever edition of the West Asia Championship carries significant weight, as it is held under the umbrella of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), and its outcomes will influence international rankings. Being the inaugural tournament, every participating nation is highly motivated to make history by becoming the first champion of the event.

In other news, continental referee Hussein Al-Tamimi has arrived in Bahrain to participate in officiating matches throughout the tournament.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff