Players fighting for the ball.

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 6: The second division of the Kuwait Premier Handball League begins today at the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Sports Complex Hall, featuring two exciting matches. Al-Nasr faces Kuwait Club at 5:00 PM, followed by Al-Qadsia vs Burgan at 6:30 PM.

The first division concluded last Saturday, with Kuwait Club topping the standings with 14 points (perfect record), followed by Kazma with 9 points, Burgan in third with 8 points, and Al-Qadsia in fourth with 6 points, ahead of Al-Arabi and Al-Salmiya, who also have 6 points. Al-Sulaibikhat is seventh with 5 points, and Al-Nasr sits last with 2 points.

The league operates in three divisions, with the team earning the most points crowned champion. The team finishing eighth will be relegated directly to the first division, while the seventh-place team will face the second-place team from the first division to determine promotion.

In the first match, Kuwait Club is expected to dominate Al-Nasr thanks to superior experience and stronger players, particularly the professionals. The team is aiming for its eighth straight win. Previously, Kuwait Club defeated Al-Nasr 41-23, and coach Said Hijazi may use this opportunity to rotate in substitute players, given the significant skill gap.

In the second match, Al-Qadsia seeks revenge against Burgan, who narrowly beat it25-24 in the first division. Al-Qadsia started the season slowly, losing their first three matches to Burgan, Kuwait Club, and Kazma, before winning three consecutive games against Al-Arabi, Al-Nasr, and Al-Salmiya. It, however, suffered a surprise defeat against Al-Sulaibikhat in the last round.

Meanwhile, Burgan, having dropped to third after losing second place to Kazma, is eager to return to winning form after back-to-back losses to Kazma and Kuwait Club.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff