Dar Kulaib capture Crown Prince’s Cup in volleyball

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Dar Kulaib were last night crowned back-to-back champions of the Crown Prince’s Cup in volleyball.

Dar Kulaib clinched the title following a stunning 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-18) victory over Muharraq in the tournament final, played at the Bahrain Volleyball Association arena (BVA) at Isa Sports City in Riffa.

Following the contest, both teams were presented their respective trophies and medals by BVA president Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and Bahrain Olympic Committee secretary-general Mohammed Hassan Al Nusuf in an awarding ceremony. Also, the presents were several clubs and BVA officials.

 Dar Kulaib’s Brazilian head coach Sergio Cunha and Muharraq tactician Mohammed Al Murbati led their teams in accepting their accolades.

The result earned Dar Kulaib their second successive Crown Prince’s Cup title.

They won last year’s competition after defeating Al Najma in the final.

It was also the first title for Dar Kulaib this year.

For Muharraq, it was a disappointing end to what started as a promising season. They began the 2020/2021 campaign with a long unbeaten run in the Isa bin Rashid First Division Volleyball League, but then lost towards the end of the double round-robin stage but were still able to make it through to the finals.

There, however, they bowed to rivals Al Ahli and had to settle for the runner-up spot.

Last night’s result gave Muharraq their second silver medals of the national volleyball season.

Dar Kulaib were dominant throughout the match and never gave a chance to their rivals to gain any momentum.

Muharraq also committed several costly errors in key moments in the game.

The winners had a brilliant effort from across their squad, which included Slovakian professional Martin Pavleka, and Bahraini stars Ali Ebrahim, Mahmood Hassan, Ayman Isa, Hassan Abbas, Mahmood Abdulwahid and Hussain Abdulla For Muharraq, they relied on the play of Cameroon professional Yvan Arthur Kody Bitjaa, and Bahraini talents Fadhel Abbas, Mahmood Al Afia, Hussain Haikki, Ali Khairallah, Bader Mohammed and Mohammed Habib.