Bahrain lifts Handball Championship

Manama : Bahrain’s national youth team defeated Japan 25-23 in the Seventh Asian Men’s Youth Handball Championship for its maiden title at Khalifa Sports City Hall in Isa Town. They  qualify for next year’s Handball World Cup to be hosted in Tbilisi, Georgia.

The final was attended by First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and President of Bahrain Athletic Association HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa who was deputised by HH Shaikh Nasserbin Hamad Al Khalifa, representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and President of Bahrain Olympic Committee.

Shaikh Khalid crowned the champions who clinched the title for the first time after a thrilling performance. The previous best was finishing third back in 2010 in Abu Dhabi after defeating Saudi Arabia and finishing fourth on four other occasions.

 In the third place match, defending champions South Korea beat Qatar 29-23 and they join the two finalists in next year’s finals.

Bahrain in first round qualifiers had victories against Hong Kong (34-17), Saudi Arabia (25-23) and Iraq (28-19) and drew with Japan (23-23) before securing a World Cup berth following a 23-19 victory over Qatar in the semi-finals.

Previous winners are Qatar and South Korea with two titles apiece and one each by Iran and Kuwait.

“We congratulate Mr. Ali Ishaqi, Bahrain Handball Association president on qualifying for the World Cup and very proud of this generation of handball players,” said Shaikh Khalid.