The Kuwaiti team pose for a group photo after its European tour.

AMMAN, Sept 2: The 10th Asian Junior Handball Championship, serving as the 2025 World Cup Qualifiers, is set to kick off in Amman, Jordan, from the 3rd to the 14th of this month. The tournament features 13 teams divided into four groups: Group 1 includes South Korea, Bahrain, and Iraq; Group 2 consists of Jordan, Japan, and India; Group 3 features Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE; while our national junior handball team is in Group 4 alongside China, Iran, and Chinese Taipei.

Kuwait faces Chinese Taipei in its opening match of the preliminary round at noon today, while Iran takes on China, the UAE battles Saudi Arabia, Japan goes up against India, and Iraq faces South Korea. Kuwait will play against China tomorrow and will conclude the preliminary round with a match against Iran on the 5th of this month. According to the tournament’s regulations, the teams ranked from first to fifth will qualify for the 2025 World Cup finals.

The team prepared for this continental championship with an external training camp in Slovenia, where they played several friendly matches. They also had two friendly matches in Kuwait against South Korea last week. The "Blue Juniors" are coached by Montenegrin Marko Martinovic, with assistance from national coach Hussein Habib.

Meanwhile, the youth delegation has returned to the country after completing its “tripartite" external camp in Slovenia, Hungary, and Croatia. Talal Al-Otaibi, a member of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Handball Federation, confirmed the success of the European camp for the team, emphasizing the comprehensive benefits gained.

"We participated with both A and B teams in the European friendly championships to provide all players with the opportunity to interact, gain experience, and benefit from the diverse European handball schools," said Al-Otaibi.

He added, "We have young talents in the game who need attention, proper development, and refinement before playing official matches, which will benefit both their clubs and the national teams in the future." Al-Otaibi also highlighted the importance of long-term preparation plans, which create harmony among the players, ensuring they are fully prepared throughout the season.

By Khaled Al-Anzi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff