Kuwait ready for the real challenge at the Asian Junior Handball Championship

Players in action during the match between Kuwait and UAE.

SUZHOU, China, July 22: Kuwait faces a major test today as it begins the main round of the 19th Asian Junior Handball Championship in Suzhou, China.

Kuwait finished fourth in Group B and will meet Saudi Arabia, the Group A leader, in a crucial quarterfinal clash as both teams battle for a place in the 2027 World Junior Handball Championship in North Macedonia.

Kuwait secured its place in the main round despite ending the preliminary stage with a narrow 29-28 defeat to the UAE in its final group match.

Following the completion of the first round, Kuwait finished fourth in Group B with six points and now faces a difficult challenge against an unbeaten Saudi side that topped Group A.

The 13-team tournament features two groups, with Group A consisting of China, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Chinese Taipei, and Hong Kong, while Group B includes Kuwait, Japan, South Korea, Iran, Qatar, India, and the UAE.

The top four teams in the championship will earn qualification for the 2027 World Junior Handball Championship in North Macedonia.

Meanwhile, veteran handball referee Waleed Yalous has announced his retirement from officiating after more than two decades in the sport as a player and referee.

Yalous started his playing career with Al-Shabab Club in 2001, representing the team until 2012 before joining Al-Qurain for the 2012-13 season. He retired from playing in 2018 and moved into refereeing in 2020, ending his officiating career in 2026.

Throughout his refereeing journey, Yalous officiated several major domestic and international competitions, including the Asian Club Championship and the Asian National Teams Championship.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff