The new Aron Kristjansson leads the team’s training session ahead of the Arab Cup in Kuwait.

KUWAIT CITY, April 24: The Kuwaiti national handball team began its training sessions in preparation for the 10th Arab Cup for Men's National Teams with 22 out of 23 players reporting to the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Complex the day before yesterday. The tournament, hosted by Kuwait, will be held from May 4 to 12 and coincides with the International Handball Federation Week.

Notably absent from the session was national team star Saif Al-Adwani, who has joined Qatar’s Al-Arabi Club for the remainder of their league season from May 23 to 28. He is joined in Qatar by Kazma’s Tunisian professional, Mohammed Farad.

The training session was overseen by newly appointed Icelandic head coach Aron Kristjansson. Before the workout, Kristjansson addressed the players in the presence of Handball Federation Treasurer Khaled Taleb, National Teams Director Faisal Saywan, and Team Administrator Abdulaziz Al-Zaabi.

Coach Kristjansson's preliminary squad features:

Goalkeepers: Hassan Safar, Abdulaziz Al-Dhafiri

Wings and Backs: Mohammed Bou Yabes, Abdulaziz Al-Shammari, Haidar Dashti, Fawaz Al-Mishari, Fawaz Mubarak

Playmakers and Pivots: Abdullah Al-Khamis, Abdulaziz Salmeen, Saleh Al-Raghib, Hamoud Al-Adwani, Mohammed Al-Hindal, Abdulaziz Dhaif, Abdulrahman Al-Enezi, Mishaal Al-Harbi, Hussein Al-Mutawa, Mohammed Al-Aryan, Ibrahim Dhaif, Youssef Dhaif, Mohammed Ghadanfar, Mohammed Al-Sanea, Abdulrahman Al-Shammari

Absent: Saif Al-Adwani (temporarily with Al-Arabi, Qatar). 

Khaled Taleb, Treasurer of the Handball Federation, expressed optimism about the national team’s campaign in the Arab Cup, highlighting strong ambition from both players and coaching staff. “The coach was fully briefed on the local league and player performance even before his arrival,” Taleb said. “This tournament is not just a chance to win the title, but also key preparation for upcoming major competitions.”

Taleb emphasized that Kuwait aims to deliver a well-organized tournament worthy of its handball legacy, made possible through the backing of the Public Authority for Sports and the tireless efforts of the Handball Federation’s board and committees.

He added that the Arab Cup will serve as a vital test event ahead of Kuwait’s hosting of the Asian Cup in January.

Coach Aron Kristjansson voiced his enthusiasm for leading Kuwait’s “Blue Handball Team,” praising the country’s history of excellence in Arab, Gulf, and Asian competitions. “It’s an honor to work with such a talented group of players from the local league,” he said. “With support from the federation and our dedicated staff, we are determined to make a strong impression in the Arab Championship.”

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff