The anticipation for the 26th Asian Men’s Club League Handball Championship reached its peak as the draw ceremony was conducted today at the Symphony Style Hotel in Salmiya, Kuwait. The ceremony took place on September 17, 2023, commencing at 1900 hours, heralding the commencement of this much-anticipated sporting event.
The championship promises to be a thrilling spectacle, featuring 12 clubs hailing from nine countries across Asia. These clubs will converge in Kuwait from November 17–26, 2023, to vie for the prestigious title. The battleground for this intense competition will be none other than the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah Indoor Sports Halls Complex, situated in Sabah Al-Salem, Kuwait.
The participating clubs have been divided into two formidable groups, each comprising six teams. Group A boasts a lineup featuring powerhouses such as defending champion Al-Najma Club (Bahrain), Al-Kuwait SC (Kuwait), Al-Gharafa SC (Qatar), Khaleej Club (Saudi Arabia), Al-Salah SC (Palestine), and Golden Eagles (India). Group B, equally formidable, showcases the host Qadsia SC (Kuwait), Sports Authority of India (India), Al-Arabi SC (Qatar), Al-Jaish SC (Iraq), Shabab Haret Saida (Lebanon), Sharjah SC (United Arab Emirates).
Al-Najma Club of Bahrain, the reigning champions, enter the tournament with the weight of expectations on their shoulders, aiming to defend their title with vigor. Meanwhile, Qadsia SC of Kuwait, as the host club, enjoys the advantage of the home crowd, setting the stage for a thrilling atmosphere in Kuwait.
The draw ceremony was held in the presence of AHF Treasurer Bader Mohammed Al-Theyab (Kuwait), AHF Executive Director Dr. Ahmad Abu Al-Lail (Kuwait), Secretary General of Qadsia Sporting Club Hasan Abu Al-Hasan (Kuwait), and the representatives of the participating clubs.
This championship is not just about glory and honour but also an opportunity for the winner to secure a coveted spot in the 18th IHF Men’s Super Globe in 2024.
All the information about the competition is available on the dedicated championship mini-website.
