Bahrain set for Gulf clubs handball
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
The 39th Gulf Clubs Men’s Handball Championship gets underway today in Bahrain, with the participation of eight teams from across the region, including defending champions Al Najma and Al Ahli flying the Kingdom’s flag.
The tournament is scheduled to continue until 17 March, with matches taking place the Bahrain Handball Association Arena in Um Al Hassam.
Najma and Ahli are joined in the competition by 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.
Meanwhile, Group B features Bahrain’s Ahli, Kuwait SC of Kuwait, Sharjah of the UAE and Al Safa of Saudi.
Today’s first day of action will see Arabi take on Ahli Sidab at 5pm, followed by Najma taking on Salmiya at 7pm.
Both Najma and Ahli have bolstered their sides for the tournament.
Najma have signed top Bahraini players Mohammed Habib, Qassim Qambar and Qassim Al Shuwaikh along with Egypt national team standouts Hassan Kaddah and Ahmed Alahmer.
Ahli, on the other hand, have scooped up the services of Egyptian national team goalkeeper Karim Handawy, along with Anwar bin Abdulla and Mahdi Al Qallaf.
Bin Abdulla and Al Qallaf both play with Kuwaiti clubs.
Bahrain’s Ahli begin their title bid tomorrow against Kuwait.
The preliminaries continue until Monday next week, after which the semi-finals will take place with the top two clubs from each of the two groups advancing.
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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