The players hold final training for the match against Japan.

ZAGREB, Jan 27: Kuwait concluded its journey in the 29th Handball World Cup, held across Croatia, Denmark, and Norway, with a final match against Japan tonight at 8:00 pm to determine 27th and 28th place in the "President's Cup" classification round.

This marked Kuwait's ninth participation in the tournament and its first in 15 years, following its last appearance in the 2009 World Cup in Croatia.

In the current tournament, Kuwait competed in Group Three during the preliminary round, facing tough losses against Austria, France, and Qatar. In the classification stage, the team was placed in Group Two, securing victories over Guinea (26-24) and Algeria (38-31) but falling to Poland (32-42). This performance set up its match against Japan, the runner-up of Group One, to determine final rankings.

Faisal Saywan, Technical Director of Kuwait’s handball teams, outlined the federation’s strategy to sustain development and prepare for future international competitions, including the 2027 World Cup in Germany. He emphasized the importance of competing in the Asian Championship in January 2026, with goals to advance as far as possible and secure a qualification spot for the next World Cup.

Saywan praised the national team’s participation in the World Cup, stating that competing at a global level greatly benefited the players, particularly the younger athletes. He highlighted the opportunity to face world-class teams and gain experience in one of the most competitive handball tournaments.

He acknowledged the challenges posed by the fast pace and tightly scheduled matches, which required frequent player rotations and significant effort to maintain performance levels. He noted that while it took time for the team to adjust to the championship atmosphere, the experience was invaluable for the players, technical staff, and administrators alike.

Saywan described Kuwait’s participation as successful in many respects, providing insights into international tournament operations and building connections with teams, players, and experts. He stressed that this experience would be instrumental in shaping the future of Kuwaiti handball, laying the foundation for continued growth and success.

The Kuwaiti delegation aims to capitalize on the lessons learned during this championship to elevate the nation's handball program and achieve greater milestones in upcoming events.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff