The handball team welcomed by officials upon arriving from the World Cup.

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 30: The Acting Director General of the Public Authority for Sports, Bashar Abdullah, hailed the participation of Kuwait in the 2025 Handball World Cup as a success by all standards. He highlighted the team’s significant leap in the International Handball Federation rankings and praised the players' outstanding performances during the tournament. However, he acknowledged that minor details played a role in the team’s exit against Austria.

Abdullah’s remarks came during the team’s early-morning reception following the conclusion of their participation in the 29th World Cup, which is currently being held in Croatia, Denmark, and Norway and will wrap up tomorrow.

The team was welcomed by Bashar Abdullah, alongside Kuwait Handball Federation President Fouad Al-Balushi, Treasurer Khaled Talib, Assistant Secretary Abdullah Al-Dhiyab Talib, and board members Talal Al-Otaibi and Mishaal Al-Qabandi.

Kuwait secured 27th place in the World Championship, surpassing Japan and Bahrain. Treasurer Khaled Talib commended the squad for delivering a strong performance on the international stage, winning three matches—their best-ever World Cup showing. He also expressed gratitude to the Public Authority for Sports and Bashar Abdullah for their unwavering support in overcoming challenges.

Similarly, Assistant Secretary Abdullah Al-Dhiyab described the team’s participation as positive, stating that while the goal was to achieve a higher ranking, finishing 27th remains a notable accomplishment for Kuwaiti handball, which had been absent from this global event for years. He emphasized the importance of preparing for upcoming international competitions across different age groups.

Players Abdulaziz Al-Shammari, Abdulaziz Al-Dhafiri, and Mishaal Taha reaffirmed that the entire delegation was committed to raising the Kuwaiti flag and showcasing the nation's handball prowess. They called for continued support to ensure the national teams maintain their competitive edge in future international tournaments.

In a related development, goalkeeping coach Ali Al-Khadher completed his World Cup stint with the Brazilian national team, which delivered an impressive performance, securing victories over Chile, Spain, and Sweden in the main round.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff