Najma crowned Khalid bin Hamad handball league champs!
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Al Najma were last night crowned champions of the 2022/2023 Khalid bin Hamad Bahrain Handball League.
Najma claimed the title for the fourth successive season— making for an unprecedented “four-peat”—after defeating Al Shabab 30-28 in a thrilling tournament final.
Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) vice-president His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa attended the game and presented the teams their respective trophies and medals.
Also on hand was BOC board member and Bahrain Handball Association president Ali Issa. Najma lived up to their tag as favourites heading into the clash but not without a dramatic finish.
They led 17-14 at the half and did well to keep their lead over the first part of the final 30 minutes.
Shabab put in a valiant fight to stay within striking distance.
They came within a goal twice in the final two minutes of play, but Najma’s Bahrain international star Mohammed Habib scored each time to maintain his team’s two-goal cushion until the final buzzer.
With the league title in the bag, Najma now continue their preparations for their title-defence in the 39th Gulf Clubs Men’s Handball Championship, set to be hosted by the Kingdom from 8 to 17 March.
Najma are one of two of Bahrain’s leading handball clubs competing in the event, along with Al Ahli.
They are set to take on teams from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar in the tournament.
Najma have been drawn in Group A for the preliminary round alongside Al Arabi of Qatar, Al Salmiya of Kuwait and Al Ahli Sidab of Oman.
Group B features Bahrain’s Ahli, Kuwait SC of Kuwait, Sharjah of the UAE and Al Safa of Saudi.
Najma won last year’s Gulf handball title following a resounding 39-24 victory over Saudi outfit Mudhar in the final of the tournament, which was hosted by Kuwait.
It was the sixth time the Bahraini side claimed the coveted championship.
Their triumph also ended a two-decade title drought, as their previous victories came in 2001, 1998, 1990, 1985 and 1984.
Najma had also won the competition’s silver medals thrice in 2006, 2004 and 1999; while taking bronze twice in 2003 and 1982.
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