Players fighting for the ball during the opening match between Kuwait and Sweden.

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 6: Kuwait’s U-19 national handball team opened its campaign at the 10th IHF Men’s Youth World Championship with a 22–39 loss to Sweden in Cairo, Egypt, as part of Group A action. The team is set to face Portugal in its second match tomorrow at 3:00 pm.

Meanwhile, the Public Authority for Sport has ruled recent decisions by the Kuwait Handball Association invalid due to procedural violations. The ruling pertains to meeting No. (5-2025) and (6-2025) of the federation’s Board of Directors.

In an official letter (No. 11163-2025) dated August 6, Deputy Director General for Competitive Sports Bashar Abdullah confirmed that the Authority consulted the Fatwa and Legislation Department to assess the legal quorum requirements for board meetings—specifically, whether meetings could proceed without the presence of the federation’s president or vice president, and under the leadership of the Secretary-General.

The legal opinion clarified that for any board meeting to be considered valid, it must be attended by at least six members, including either the president or vice president. Decisions must be passed by a simple majority of those present. In the event of a tie, the side supported by the president—or whoever is officially presiding—prevails. Without the president or vice president present, any resulting decisions are considered null and void.

Based on this opinion, the Authority concluded that all decisions made during meeting No. (5-2025) are invalid, due to the absence of both the president and vice president. The same applies to the subsequent meeting, No. (6-2025), and its resolutions.

Separately, the Kuwait Handball Association has announced the formation of the Referees Committee for the upcoming 2025–2026 season. The committee will be chaired by international referee Ahmed Al-Mutawa, with fellow international referee Hani Abul serving as deputy chairman. Committee members include international referees Abdulrahman Al-Mutawa, Mishari Armih, and Bader Al-Mutawa.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff