Al Najma given a hero’s welcome
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Al Najma Club handball team players and officials received a hero’s welcome yesterday as they returned to the Kingdom from Isfahan, Iran, where they were crowned champions of the 25th Asian Men’s Club League Championship.
Supreme Council for Youth and Sports first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority (GSA) president and Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) chief, His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, was at the forefront of the welcoming party at the Hall of Ceremonies at Bahrain International Airport.
At the reception, Najma’s top players, led by Bahrain national team skipper Hussain Al Sayyad, presented the champions’ trophy to HH Shaikh Khalid, along with his very own gold medal.
The event was also attended by GSA deputy chairman His Highness Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, GSA CEO Dr Abdulrahman Sadiq Askar, Najma chairman Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, BOC secretary general Faris Al Kooheji, Bahrain Handball Association president Ali Issa and other officials.
HH Shaikh Khalid received the Asian champions with flowers and conveyed to them greetings from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
HH Shaikh Khalid congratulated the team for winning the Asian clubs title for the second time, after its maiden title in 2017.
The result also helped them book a berth in 17th IHF Men’s Super Globe, to be held from October 17 to 23 in Saudi Arabia.
HH Shaikh Khalid stressed the importance of stepping up preparations ahead of the Super Globe in order to honour the Kingdom of Bahrain, and reiterated his support for the club.
Najma were crowned champions of the Asian clubs tournament following a thrilling 31-30 double overtime victory over Al Duhail of Qatar in the final.
Najma standouts Mohammed Abdulhussain and Mohammed Habib Naser were named onto the competition’s All-Star Team.
Abdulhussain was named the Best Goalkeeper, while Naser was the Best Centre Back.
Aside from Al Sayyad, Abdulhussain and Naser, Najma’s team in Isfahan also included Mohammed Abdulredha, Adel Mohammed, Mohammed Mirza, Mohammed Ali, Qassim Qambar, Belal Basham, Sayed Ali Shubbar, Hassan Mirza, Mahdi Habib, Qasim Al Shuwaikh and Mohammed Ahmed, along with three professionals, namely Vuk Lazovic from Montenegro, Yoel Cuni Morales from Cuba and Skander Zaied from Tunisia.
Najma appeared on the podium for the fifth time in the Asian Handball Federation event.
Along with their two gold medals, they had also claimed the silver medals twice in 2015 and in 2022, and the bronze once in 2001.
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