Players are battling for the ball.

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 8: The draw for the 3rd Asian Youth Games has placed Kuwait’s U-19 handball team in Group B alongside China and India. Group A features Bahrain, Jordan, and Thailand; Group C includes Iran, the UAE, Kazakhstan, and Hong Kong; while Group D comprises Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Uzbekistan, and the Maldives. The tournament will be held in Bahrain from October 22 to 31.

Meanwhile, the third round of the Kuwait Handball Premier League kicks off today at the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Sports Complex. Kazma will face Qadsia at 5:00 PM, followed by Al-Salmiya against Kuwait Club at 6:30 PM. Tomorrow, Al-Sulaibikhat takes on Al-Arabi, and Burgan plays Al-Nasr.

Kuwait Club currently leads the league with four points after two rounds, while Kazma, Al-Arabi, and Burgan have three points each. Al-Salmiya has two points, Al-Sulaibikhat has one, and both Qadsia and Al-Nasr are yet to score.

In today’s opening match, Kazma aims to extend its winning streak after defeating Al-Sulaibikhat in the previous round. Qadsia, on the other hand, is seeking its first win of the season after consecutive losses, setting up a fiery clash between the “Oranges” and the “Yellows.”

In other news, Asian Handball Federation President Badr Al-Dhiab confirmed his support for Bahrain Handball Federation President Ali Ishaqi, who has submitted his candidacy for IHF Vice President for the 2025-2029 term.

The elections will take place during the 40th IHF Congress on December 21 in Cairo, Egypt, covering positions for IHF President, First Vice President, Secretary-General, three Executive Committee members, and heads of the main committees.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff