KUWAIT CITY, Aug 3: The draw for the 24th Asian Clubs Volleyball Championship, set to take place in Yazd, Iran from September 8-15, has placed the Kuwait Club in Group A. It will compete against the Iranian Shahdab Yazd Club. Group B features Japan's Nagoya, Iraq's Gas South, and China's Badong Wuli. Group C includes Indonesia's Jakarta, Kazakhstan's Bavuar, and Chinese Taipei's Tai Chong. Group D comprises Qatar's Al Rayyan, Afghanistan's Kam, and Iran's Foolad Sirjan.

Kuwait Club will kick off its local preparations today under the guidance of Turkish coach Taner Atik. The team will then hold an external training camp in Turkey from August 25 to September 6, before heading directly to Iran for the championship. The club has renewed Atik's contract and signed Brazilian player Ferreira, Cuban player Ramos, and former Al-Arabi player Hussein Al-Masry.

Musleh Al-Rashidi, the Volleyball Director at Kuwait Club, stated that the local training starting today aims to get the players back in shape after the long offseason. The Turkish camp will focus on tactical training and feature several friendly matches.

Al-Rashidi emphasized the importance of participating in the Asian Championship ahead of the new season, which begins on September 15. He also praised the club’s management for their strong support of the volleyball program and the first team.

Last season, the Kuwait Club volleyball team clinched the League Championship, Super Cup, and Union Championship, and finished as the runner-up in the West Asian Championship.

By Khaled Al-Anzi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff