Najma drawn in tough Asian clubs handball group

TDT | Manama                                                

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com     

Bahrain champions Al Najma have been drawn in a tough six-team group in the 25th Asian Men’s Club League Handball Championship. The tournament, organized by the Asian Handball Federation (AHF), is scheduled to be held in Isfahan, Iran from June 1 to 11.

The winners of the competition will qualify for the 17th IHF Men’s Super Globe, to be held from October 17 to 23 in Saudi Arabia. Najma are one of 11 clubs taking part in the event.

They were drawn yesterday in Group B alongside defending champions Kuwait SC of Kuwait, Junior Club of China, Tashkent Club of Uzbekistan, Al Duhail of Qatar and Shahid Shameli Kazeroon of Iran.

Group A consists of just five teams, including Esphahan Club of Iran, India Club of India, Oman Club of Oman, Kazma of Kuwait and Al Rayyan of Qatar. The draw for the tournament’s preliminary stage took place at the AHF headquarters in Kuwait City.

Representatives from the participating teams attended the ceremony. Najma also took part in last year’s Asian clubs competition, which was held in Hyderabad, India. The Bahrainis had to settle for the silver medals following a 23-28 loss against Kuwait in the tournament final. Najma will be hoping to go one better this year and claim the Asian title they were denied in Hyderabad.