Kuwait handball team opens Asian Games campaign against Iran

Players preparing for the opener.

NAGOYA, Sept. 17: Kuwait’s national handball team begins its Asian Games campaign in Nagoya on Saturday when it takes on Iran in its opening Group B match.

The Blues will seek a strong start against a tough opponent as it aims to reach the second round and make a deep run in the tournament.

The team completed an extensive preparation program ahead of the Asian Games, including training camps in Slovenia and Croatia, a domestic phase, and a final camp in Tokyo. The squad held daily training sessions and played one friendly during the final stage to sharpen its technical and physical readiness.

Kuwait was drawn in Group B with South Korea, Iran, Uzbekistan and Bahrain, setting up a challenging path to the knockout stage.

The Kuwait delegation includes Hussein Dashti, Mohammed Buayabes, Hassan Safar, Abdullah Al-Khamis, Saleh Al-Mousawi, Saif Al-Adwani, Hamoud Al-Adwani, Aziz Salmeen, Haider Dashti, Fawaz Al-Mishari, Yousef Dhaif, Aziz Dhaif, Abdulrahman Al-Shammari, Aziz Al-Shammari, Mohammed Ali, and Hussein Al-Mutawa.

Coach Aron Kristiansen said the team has the quality to compete at the Asian Games, highlighting the contribution of experienced players and young talents throughout the preparation period.

Kristiansen said the squad’s main goal is to deliver a performance worthy of Kuwaiti handball’s reputation, while praising the efforts of the coaching and support staff in preparing the players for the tournament.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff