Dar Kulaib are back-to-back champions!

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Dar Kulaib have been crowned back-to -back champions of the Isa bin Rashid Bahrain Volleyball League.

Dar Kulaib clinched the coveted 2023/2024 title after defeating Al Ahli in a tough, nail-biting third game that went the maximum in their best-of-three championship series, played at Isa bin Rashid Arena at Isa Sports City in Riffa.

Dar Kulaib had taken the first two sets and appeared to be on their way to a clean sweep to the crown, but Ahli fought back bravely and sent the match into a winner-take-all fifth frame.

There, Dar Kulaib managed just enough to eke out the win, with the exciting battle going down to the wire until the very end.

Dar Kulaib won with a 3-2 (25-22, 28-26, 18-25, 21-25, 17-15) score line.

Following the game, Dar Kulaib and Ahli were presented their respective trophies and medals in an awarding ceremony by Bahrain Olympic Committee member Shaikha Hayat bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa and Bahrain Volleyball Association president Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed Al Khalifa.

Dar Kulaib captain Mahmoud Abdulwahed accepted the champions’ trophy on the team’s behalf.

Playing key roles this season for Dar Kulaib were Abdulwahed, Mohammed Yaqoob, Brazilian professional Caio Oliveira, Ali Habib, Ali Mohammed, Hassan Alaiwi, Hassan Al Warqa, and Abdulla Mohammed, among others; while for Ahli, their contributing players were Ali Ebrahim, Nasser Anan, Montenegro professional Marko Vukasinovic, Sayed Mohammed Al Abrar, Mahmoud Abdulhussain, Mohammed Habib, Abbas Al Khabbaz, and Hussain Al Haiki, to name a few.

With their triumph, Dar Kulaib clinched their fourth league title, just one now behind Ahli, who have five championships.

They will now be hoping to win a title double for the second successive season when they aim to retain the His Royal Highness the Crown Prince’s Cup.