Latest news with #Al-Salmiya
Arab Times
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Bader Al-Mutawa returns to Al-Qadsiya training
KUWAIT CITY, July 20: Al-Salmiya is on the verge of completing contracts with several foreign players, most notably Syrian international Mahmoud Al-Aswad, with negotiations between both sides reaching advanced stages. Al-Aswad, an attacking midfielder and forward, previously represented Zakho in Iraq and Al-Karamah in Syria, having joined the senior squad at just 16 years old. He has played for various Syrian national teams since 2019, making his senior debut in 2022. Earlier, Al-Salmiya finalized the signing of Jordanian Hussam Abu Dhahab, a former player for Al-Faisaly who has represented Jordan internationally. Head coach Nasser Al-Shatti is seeking to complete additional deals to strengthen the squad ahead of the new season. The club has already renewed the contracts of key players, including Tunisian Imad Louati, Brazilian Alex Lima, and Libyan Al-Sanousi Al-Hadi. Preseason training will officially begin next Saturday, followed by an external training camp in Turkey starting August 15, in preparation for the start of the Zain Premier League on September 12. Al-Qadsiya captain Bader Al-Mutawa rejoined his team during a training session held at the late Farouk Ibrahim Stadium. Al-Mutawa had missed the start of preseason, which began last Wednesday, due to personal reasons. Also returning to action was goalkeeper Hamid Al-Qallaf, who signed with the club after a two-year absence from competitive football. Moroccan forward Ismail Khafi, despite speculation surrounding his future, also participated in training. Though there had been talk of contract termination, he received the green light from head coach Nabil Maaloul and is now likely to remain with the team through the upcoming season. French-Guinean player Hassame Fadiga has joined Al-Arabi's training camp, becoming the club's fourth foreign signing. He joins Ugandan Kenneth Semakula and Nigerians Ayano Iwala and Christopher John. The club still has one foreign player slot available, with Jordanian international Ali Alwan emerging as a leading candidate to fill that position. In domestic transfers, Al-Arabi also strengthened its lineup by signing Aziz Nassari, who has previous experience with Al-Qadsiya and Al-Tadamon. The team will continue local training until next Thursday before heading to the UAE for an external training camp, which will include three friendly matches. Following that, Al-Arabi will travel to the Maldives, where they will face Maziya Sports in a crucial AFC Challenge League play-off on August 12, with the winner advancing to the group stage.
Arab Times
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwait's homegrown coaches lead handball clubs to new heights
KUWAIT CITY, July 14: The 2024–2025 handball season marked a notable rise in the presence and performance of Kuwaiti national coaches across local and international competitions. Their growing impact reflects not only a positive shift in coaching development but also the success of homegrown talent in achieving competitive and honorable results. Among the standout figures this season is Hussein Habib, head coach of Burgan's first-handball team. Taking over from Algerian coach Said Hijazi at the beginning of the season, Habib made an immediate impact, strengthening team cohesion and dramatically improving performance. Under his leadership, Burgan achieved a historic runner-up finish in the Premier League, securing a spot in the upcoming Asian Club Championship for the first time in the club's history. Habib's close relationship with the players and the full backing of the club's management were key factors in this breakthrough. Habib's coaching journey includes a successful stint with Al-Arabi in 2014, where he led the team to promotion to the Premier League. He later served as assistant coach at Al-Qadsiya in 2019, before coaching Sulaibikhat in 2022. In 2023, he returned to Al-Qadsiya as head coach, leading them in the AFC Club Championship, and then joined Burgan in 2024. He recently renewed his contract with Burgan for another season. Reflecting on the season, Habib said: 'Our target was to reach the podium and qualify for the Asian Club Championship. With the support of the management and dedication from the players and staff, we achieved that goal.' He credited the signings of Yasuhira and Stipe Mandalinich for playing a crucial role in securing second place five rounds before the end of the league. Habib outlined several objectives, including maximizing the participation of local players in league matches, developing talent for the national team, and competing in the Asian Cup. He highlighted the season's major positives, such as: A historic runner-up finish Won every team except Kuwait Club A fast-paced attacking style A season completed without major injuries Among the challenges, he noted: A lack of depth at the right-back position A mental dip after securing second place Physical fatigue and underperformance in the Federation Cup are due to the absence of strong alternatives. Another national coach who found success this season is Yaqoub Al-Moussawi, head coach of Al-Salmiya's handball team. Under his leadership, the Sky Blues achieved: Runner-up at the 39th Arab Club Championship Third place in the Super Cup Third place in the 2023–2024 Federation Cup Third place in the 2024–2025 Cup Secured Premier League status for next season Al-Moussawi began his coaching career as an assistant with Al-Salmiya in 2019–2020, before taking over as head coach in the 2022–2023 season, where he immediately led the team to a runner-up finish in the Cup. He also voiced concern about the decision to allow three professional players per team, criticizing the rule as unbalanced given the lack of financial rewards in the league and the limited resources of clubs to attract multiple foreign players. Also earning praise is Waleed Salmeen, who led Sulaibikhat to a fourth-place finish in the Premier League, ensuring their participation in the top tier next season. His steady guidance helped the team retain its league status despite stiff competition. The upcoming season will feature eight teams, including league champions Al-Qadsiya and newly promoted sides from the First Division, promising an even more competitive landscape for Kuwait handball.
Arab Times
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Al-Arabi and Yarmouk launch preseason training for the new campaign
KUWAIT CITY, July 14: Al-Arabi and Al-Yarmouk are set to kick off their training sessions this evening as they begin preparations for the new season. Al-Arabi, under the leadership of newly appointed Portuguese coach Marco Alves, will begin its training ahead of a busy preseason. Alves replaces Nasser Al-Shatti, who has taken charge of Al-Salmiya for the upcoming season. The Green Falcons will train locally before departing on July 25 for a 12-day training camp in the UAE, where they are scheduled to play three friendly matches. Following the UAE camp, Al-Arabi will head to the Maldives to face Maziya Sports & Recreation Club in the AFC Challenge League play-off on August 12—a pivotal match that will determine which team progresses to the group stage. Meanwhile, Al-Yarmouk, now under the guidance of Dhaher Al-Adwani, will begin training at Abdullah Al-Khalifa Stadium in preparation for the Zain First Division League, set to begin on September 14. After being relegated from the Premier League last season, Al-Yarmouk is focused on a strong comeback through structured preparation and squad reinforcements. The club has already strengthened its roster with a mix of international and local signings, including Tunisian Hazem Haj Hassan, Malian Moriba Dialli, Ghanaian Robin Akwa, and Congolese Losoko, along with Othman Al-Dosari, a former Al-Salmiya player. The club is also in negotiations with several other targets to complete its lineup. Al-Yarmouk is planning an overseas training camp in August, which will feature a series of friendly matches to fine-tune the squad ahead of the new campaign.
Arab Times
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Al-Salmiya signs Nasser Al-Shatti as head coach for the season
KUWAIT CITY, July 12: Al-Salmiya Club officially announced the signing of coach Nasser Al-Shatti and his brother, Maitham Al-Shatti, to lead the first football team in preparation for the upcoming 2025-2026 season. The agreement was finalized the day before yesterday following months of negotiations that began earlier this year. Al-Shatti had previously led Al-Arabi to an impressive season, finishing as runner-up in the Zain Premier League and the Crown Prince Cup, and reaching the final of the Amir's Cup, which was postponed last June due to regional circumstances. The team also reached the AFC Challenge Cup semifinals. Despite Al-Arabi's desire to renew his contract for a third season, both sides were unable to reach a final agreement. As a result, Al-Salmiya parted ways with Croatian coach Ante Miša, who had been under contract through the end of next season. The club expressed its gratitude to Miša and wished him success in future endeavors. With the appointment of the Al-Shatti brothers, Al-Salmiya aims to return to title contention and secure local championships after a prolonged absence from the podium. In addition to the coaching change, Al-Salmiya has reinforced its squad by signing Abdullah Al-Shamali, who recently ended his stint with Al-Qadsiya. Al-Shamali began his career at Al-Arabi and spent the last two seasons at Al-Qadsiya. Meanwhile, Al-Arabi has announced the appointment of Jordanian coach Ahmed Hayel as assistant coach, joining the technical staff led by Portuguese head coach Marco Cesar Pereira Alves, whose hiring was confirmed last week. Hayel will work alongside Portuguese coach Alonso, who was recently added to the staff, marking his first coaching role outside Jordan. A former Al-Arabi player, Hayel's career was cut short by a head injury nearly a decade ago. He brings a strong coaching résumé, having guided the Jordan U-23 Olympic team to the 2021 West Asian Championship title and qualification for the AFC Asian Cup finals. He also served as assistant coach for Jordan's senior national team and led Al-Faisaly and Al-Hussein Irbid, winning the Jordanian Professional League title last season. Al-Arabi's technical staff also includes: Tunisian Khalil Jebabli as fitness coach (continuing in his role) Portuguese Blessing Lumiono and Ahmed Hayel as assistant coaches Brazilian Artur Guedes as goalkeeper coach Algerian Mahfouz Jenad as a technical analyst
Arab Times
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Yarmouk rebuilds with new foreign signings
KUWAIT CITY, July 3: Yarmouk reinforced its squad with the signings of Malian players Moriba Dialle and Reuben Akwa, as part of its ongoing preparations for the Zain First Division League, which kicks off on September 14. Following a difficult season that saw Yarmouk finish 10th and last in the Premier League standings, the club is focused on rebuilding with strong talent to secure a swift return to the top flight. The club recently secured the services of former Al-Salmiya player Othman Al-Dosari and has now added further international experience with the acquisitions of Dialle and Akwa. The 29-year-old Dialle, who plays as a defender, brings valuable experience from his time with ES Sétif in Algeria, where he spent three seasons. He also previously featured for Stade Malien, one of Mali's top clubs. Akwa, born in 1996, is a versatile midfielder known for his attacking style. He played a key role for Duhok SC in Iraq last season, helping the club win the Gulf Champions League title after defeating Al-Qadsiya with a 2-1 away win (following a 1-1 draw in the first leg). His diverse experience includes stints with Dunajska Streda (Slovakia), Hartberg and Ried (Austria), Lokomotiva (Croatia), and Teuta Durres (Albania). Under the guidance of Dhaher Al-Adwani, who took charge last December following the departure of Serbian manager Goran Matkovic, Yarmouk is actively strengthening key positions. The goal is clear: to build a competitive side capable of delivering strong results and earning promotion back to the Premier League. As part of the restructuring, Yarmouk opted not to renew the contracts of its five foreign players: Mario Pietro (Italy) Ayoub Lakhdar and Habib Dahmani (Morocco) Kayali Kone (Ivory Coast) Reza Dost (Iran) The club's recruitment strategy reflects a determined push to rise again in Kuwaiti football. By Hassan Mosa
