Kuwaiti players after beating Japan to finish 27th.

ZAGREB, Jan 29: The Kuwaiti national handball team is set to return this morning at 5:00 am after completing its participation in the 29th World Handball Championship, currently taking place in Croatia, Denmark, and Norway. The tournament will conclude on February 2.

The team finished in 27th place, securing a 37-32 victory over Japan, the Asian champion, in the match that determined the rankings for 27th and 28th places. Saif Al-Adwani, the standout player for Kuwait, was named the best player of the match, marking his second consecutive individual accolade after being named "Man of the Match" against Algeria during the World Cup’s "President’s Cup" competition.

This marks Kuwait’s return to the World Cup after a 15-year absence, with the team’s ninth participation in the prestigious event.

Qaed Al-Adwani, Secretary of the Kuwait Handball Federation and head of the national team delegation at the World Cup praised the players for their impressive performance and high morale. Despite facing a challenging group in the preliminary rounds, the team gave it all, securing a well-deserved 27th-place finish.

“While we were placed in a tough group during the preliminary round, our players performed admirably and represented Kuwaiti handball with pride,” Al-Adwani stated. “Reaching the 27th position at the World Cup is a significant achievement, and it provides the team with great motivation for future success.”

Al-Adwani, on behalf of the Kuwait Handball Federation, also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the players for their dedication and sacrifice, which helped elevate Kuwait’s name on the global stage.

The Secretary of the Handball Federation extended special thanks to the Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, for his ongoing support of Kuwaiti sports, including handball. He also expressed gratitude to the Sports Authority and to the loyal Kuwaiti fans who supported the team throughout the competition.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff