In this file photo, a Kuwaiti is defended by Japanese players as he goes for a shot.

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 14: The draw ceremony for the 22nd Asian Men’s Handball Championship — a qualifying event for the 2027 World Championship in Germany — will be held at 6:30 p.m. today at the Safir Fintas Hotel, with the attendance of representatives from the participating Asian national teams.

The continental tournament, regarded as the biggest handball event in Asia, will take place at the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Sports Complex from January 15 to 26, 2026. The top four teams at the conclusion of the competition will secure direct qualification to the 2027 World Cup.

The Asian Handball Federation has confirmed the participation of 15 national teams: Kuwait (host), Qatar, Japan, Bahrain, South Korea, Iran, the UAE, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, China, Oman, Hong Kong, India, Jordan, and Australia.

Meanwhile, Kuwait’s national men’s handball team has begun its domestic training in preparation for the championship, which will run until October 20. The team will then head to Tunisia for an external training camp from October 21 to November 7, where it will participate in an international friendly tournament featuring Tunisia, Guinea, and Iran.

Following the camp, Kuwait will take part in the Islamic Solidarity Games, hosted in Riyadh from November 7 to 21.

The team’s preparation program is being overseen by Icelandic head coach Aron Kristjansson and his technical staff.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff