DOHA, Oct 18: The Kuwaiti national handball team embark on their journey in the Asian qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympics, currently taking place in Doha, Qatar.

Their initial match is against the Iranian national team, scheduled for 3:00 this afternoon. This game marks the commencement of the preliminary round matches in the second group, which also features Japan and Bahrain.

Meanwhile, in the first group, Saudi Arabia face Korea, the UAE compete with China, and India play against Qatar.

In the preliminary round of Group Two, Kuwait will encounter the Japanese team on Saturday. Following that, they face the Bahraini team on the 22nd of this month, with the round concluding by playing against Kazakhstan on the 24th of the same month. Heading the delegation of our national handball team for the Paris 2024 qualifiers is the Secretary of the Federation, Qayed Al-Adwani.

The team are supported by treasurer Khaled Ghuloum, Board of Directors member Mubarak Al-Daihani, team director Faisal Siwan, team administrator Abdulaziz Al-Zaabi, and the technical staff led by Algerian coach Saeed Hegazy.

His compatriot, Mohamed Masoudan, assists him, while Tunisian goalkeeper coach Ayman and physiotherapist Mehdi Bakoush complete the team.

Additionally, the squad consists of 20 players, including prominent names such as Muhammad Bouyabes, Hassan Safar, and many more. Before the official matches commenced, Kuwait played a test match against Saudi Arabia, which they lost with a score of 21-28.

This match provided valuable insights and preparation for the team. Abdulaziz Al-Zaabi, the director of the first handball team, revealed that the team’s coach, the Algerian Saeed Hegazy, employed new tactics and strategies during the trial match against Saudi Arabia.

These preparations aim to ensure a strong performance in the Asian qualifiers for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Facing powerful teams like Saudi Arabia is expected to greatly benefit the team, enhancing their experience and performance. It is worth noting that Kuwait recently secured third place and a bronze medal at the Asian Games in China, ending a 17-year absence from the Asian podiums.

The team are currently gearing up for participation in the Asian Cup “2025 World Cup Qualifiers” in the Kingdom of Bahrain, scheduled for January 14th to 25th.

By Khaled El Anzi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff