Bahrainis win Asian handball bronze

TDT | Manama                                                     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain captured the bronze medals last night while Qatar were crowned champions in the 21st Asian Men’s Handball Championship, which came to a close in the Kingdom. The Bahrainis secured their spot on the podium following a 26-17 victory against Kuwait yesterday in the game for third place.

The Qataris, meanwhile, claimed the coveted crown after beating Japan 30-24 in the final. Supreme Council for Youth and Sports first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority president and Bahrain Olympic Committee chief His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa attended the gold medal game along with other high-ranking officials.

HH Shaikh Khalid awarded the trophies and medals in the closing ceremony following play. In Bahrain’s contest, the national team were playing without a number of their veteran stars, who were reportedly suspended following their semi-final loss to Japan.

The Kingdom’s younger players stepped up and did well to secure the result and end the tournament on a positive note. The hosts led 12-6 at the half and never wavered over the final 30 minutes. Ali Eid finished as the Bahrainis’ leading scorer with nine goals, while Jassim Khamis added six and Abdulla Al Zaimour had four.

Mujtaba Al Zaimour chipped in with three goals, while also scoring a goal apiece were Hassan Al Fardan, Hassan Al Samaheeji, Ahmed Kadhem and Hassan Madan. Bahrain goalkeeper Hesham Issa was named Best Player of the Game. He made 12 saves in the contest. The Bahrainis won their second bronze medals in the history of the Asian championship to go with their five silver medals. They last took bronze in the 2020 edition held in Kuwait City.

Meanwhile, in Qatar’s triumph, they quickly recovered from a 0-2 start and took a commanding 17-11 lead at the half. They did well to close things out the rest of the way for their historic sixth successive title. Japan claimed their sixth silver medals in the history of the event, to go with two gold and five bronze. All four of the national teams in action yesterday secured their places in the 2025 IHF World Men’s Handball Championship, to be held in Croatia, Denmark, and Norway.