The Qatar Handball Association (QHA) has officially announced the return of legendary Spanish coach Valero Rivera López to lead the national handball team, succeeding Montenegrin coach Veselin Vujović, whose short-term contract recently expired. Rivera has already resumed his duties, overseeing training sessions at the Al-Ittihad Hall in Al-Duhail as the team begins preparations for an intense competitive phase ahead.
Under Rivera’s guidance, Qatar will prepare for major upcoming tournaments, most notably the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games scheduled from 7 – 21 November 2025 in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, followed by the 22nd Asian Men’s Handball Championship in Kuwait from 15 – 26 January 2026. Both events are seen as crucial stepping stones in Qatar’s ongoing ambitions to remain among the continent’s elite handball powers.
Rivera is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished handball coaches in the world. Since taking charge of Qatar in 2014, he transformed the team into a dominant force in Asia, winning five consecutive Asian titles and famously guiding Qatar to the silver medal at the 2015 IHF Men’s Handball World Championship in Doha—the greatest achievement in the history of Qatari handball.
After stepping down in August 2024, Rivera was briefly succeeded by Vujović, but the Montenegrin coach’s short spell failed to produce the desired results. QHA officials, seeking stability and proven leadership, turned once again to Rivera, whose deep understanding of Qatari handball and its competitive landscape makes him the natural choice.
“Valero Rivera has a unique imprint on Qatari handball,” a QHA spokesperson commented. “His experience, knowledge of our system, and proven record of success give us full confidence as we enter a crucial phase of preparation.”
Rivera’s return is viewed as a decisive step in re-establishing momentum for the national side, as Qatar looks to extend its dominance in Asia and remain a strong contender at the international level.