Latest news with #QaidAl-Adwani
Arab Times
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwait U-19 handball team heads to Europe for World Cup preparations
KUWAIT CITY, July 13: The delegation of Kuwait's junior national handball team departed this morning for Croatia and Slovenia to begin an external training camp in preparation for the 2025 IHF Men's Youth (U-19) World Championship set to take place in Cairo, Egypt, from August 6 to 16. The delegation is led by Kuwait Handball Association Secretary General Qaid Al-Adwani and includes Board Member Mishaal Al-Qabandi, National Teams Technical Director Faisal Saywan, Team Manager Yousef Al-Shaheen, and the full technical staff headed by Danish coach Heine, along with assistant national coach Saud Mufreh and goalkeeper coach Marwan Maqayez. The camp includes 22 players. Speaking ahead of departure, Faisal Saywan praised the players for their dedication during the first phase of preparation, which took place locally through intensive training sessions. He also highlighted the inclusion of several younger players into the junior squad—a move aimed at nurturing talent and strengthening the overall development pipeline for Kuwaiti handball across all age groups. The European training camp is expected to play a key role in sharpening the team's competitive edge ahead of the World Championship in Cairo.
Arab Times
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwait Club continues Handball Cup dominance
KUWAIT CITY, June 29: Kuwait Club continued its stronghold on local handball by narrowly defeating Al-Qadsia 30-29 in the final of the 57th edition of the Handball Cup at Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Sports Complex in Sabah Al-Salem. In the third-place playoff, Al-Salmiya secured a 34-28 win over Kazma. This latest triumph marks Kuwait Club's 15th Handball Cup title and its 12th consecutive victory in the competition. The win also completes a remarkable league and cup double for the 2024-2025 season, while Kazma claimed the Super Cup. Khaled Al-Ghanim, Chairman of Kuwait Club's Board of Directors, emphasized that the championship was the result of exceptional teamwork and collective effort, which have cemented the club's prominence in the local handball scene. 'Our successes come not only from the dedication of our players and staff but also from the unwavering support of our fans—the strongest and most vital link in our journey,' he said. Al-Ghanim expressed gratitude to the Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, for his dedication to Kuwaiti sports and for fostering media coverage that enhances the nation's sporting achievements. He also congratulated Al-Qadsia for their spirited performance and exemplary sportsmanship during the final. He praised the Handball Association's Secretary-General, Qaid Al-Adwani, and the Board of Directors for organizing a highly successful season, noting that the intense final between Kuwait Club and Al-Qadsia was among the most competitive in recent years. Highlighting Kuwait Club's dominance, Al-Ghanim remarked that winning nearly all team sports championships this season aligns with the club's long-term ambition to consistently reach the top. Looking ahead, he revealed that the club's technical and administrative teams will convene soon to develop plans for the upcoming season, including decisions on both professional and local player lineups. Kuwait Handball Association Secretary Qaid Al-Adwani thanked the enthusiastic crowds at the final, underscoring how their presence added a special atmosphere. 'Kuwait Club and Al-Qadsia delivered a spectacular match that showcased the strength and evolution of Kuwaiti handball,' he said. Adwani also shared optimism about the 2025-2026 season, which promises to feature an even higher level of competition and innovative initiatives from the Board. The association is exploring sponsorship opportunities for the Premier League, including financial incentives for players, aimed at raising the quality and excitement of the league. Ali Al-Khader, head coach of the Al-Ameed handball team, reflected on the long and challenging season, noting it spanned from national team commitments with Haitham Al-Rashidi to the leadership of esteemed Saeed Hejazi. He highlighted the team's achievement in winning both the league and cup titles and revealed plans to participate in six local and international tournaments, with preparations set to begin in August. Abdulaziz Al-Shammari of Al-Abyad congratulated his teammates for overcoming injuries and player absences to defeat a strong Al-Qadsiya squad. He also praised the fans and club management for their vital roles in this success. Meanwhile, Kuwait Club's Hussein Al-Mutawa credited the team's excellent performance this season to the hard work of the technical and administrative staff, and the steadfast support of club management led by Khaled Al-Ghanim, who helped the team overcome challenges to secure both league and cup titles.
Arab Times
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Asian Championship in Kuwait prompts early handball season kickoff
KUWAIT CITY, June 25: The Kuwait Handball Federation has announced that the 2025–2026 sports season will begin in early or mid-September, allowing clubs and national teams ample time to prepare for key international events. These include the Islamic Solidarity Games, scheduled for November in Riyadh, and the Asian Championship, which Kuwait will host in January. The decision was revealed by the Federation's Secretary-General, Qaid Al-Adwani, during the Extraordinary General Assembly held two days ago. Al-Adwani explained that the upcoming season features a packed calendar both domestically and internationally. Starting early ensures better preparation and maximizes the chances of successful participation for clubs and national teams. Al-Adwani also announced that Tadamoon has officially requested to withdraw from participating in the general category competitions. This makes it the third club to withdraw, following the continued absence of Al-Jahra and Al-Shabab for a third consecutive season. The league system for the new season will follow a two-tier format: Premier League (Three Divisions): 8 Clubs: Kuwait Club, Burgan, Kazma, Sulaibikhat, Salmiya, Al-Arabi, and newly promoted Qadsia SC and Al-Nasr SC. First Division (Two or Three Divisions): 5 Clubs: Al-Qurain, Khaitan, Yarmouk, Fahaheel, and Al-Sahel. Joined by the national youth team to complete the division structure. The exact number of divisions in the First Division Championship will be determined based on the final number of participating clubs. Starting from the 2025–2026 season, clubs will be permitted to register three foreign professional players, a move previously approved by the Federation's Board of Directors. According to Al-Adwani: All three players will be included on the official match scoresheet. Only two foreign professionals can participate on the court at any time. The third professional will serve as a substitute on the bench, available for in-game rotations. Al-Adwani expressed optimism that this policy will elevate the level of competition and yield positive results in the upcoming season.
Arab Times
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwait Handball Federation increases professional player quota for the season
KUWAIT CITY, May 26: Qaid Al-Adwani, Secretary-General of the Handball Federation, announced a major change for the upcoming 2025–2026 season: clubs will now be allowed to register three foreign professionals instead of the current two. Speaking on the new regulation, Al-Adwani said, 'In response to club concerns, particularly regarding injuries to foreign players and the inability to replace them mid-season, the Federation has approved the participation of three professionals per team. However, only two will be allowed on the court at any time, with the third available as a substitute for one of the other professionals, not for a local player.' He further clarified that the registration of foreign professionals will take place during both the initial registration period before the start of the season and again in the winter transfer window. Al-Adwani also revealed that several proposals will be reviewed by the Competitions Committee and discussed with the National Teams and Technical Committees, as part of ongoing development efforts. Meanwhile, the Handball Federation's Ordinary General Assembly will convene this Wednesday to approve the administrative and financial reports for the fiscal year. Kuwait Club is on the verge of claiming its 15th overall and 13th consecutive title in the Premier Handball League, needing just one more win from the final five matches in the third and final division. The Dean solidified its lead after defeating Burgan 34–25 in the final round of the second division. Other results included Sulaibikhat's 32–24 victory over Al-Arabi and a thrilling 36–36 draw between Kazma and Al-Salmiya. Kuwait Club tops the league standings with 46 points, followed by Burgan (37), Kazma (29), Salmiya (23), Sulaibikhat (22), and Al-Arabi (18). Led by veteran Algerian coach Said Hejazi, Kuwait Club is aiming for a treble this season after already securing the Super Cup and edging closer to clinching the league title, with the Federation Cup still to come. In the First Division Handball League, two matches are scheduled for today as part of Round 11: Al-Qadsia vs. Al-Fahaheel at 5:00 PM Khaitan vs. Al-Nasr at 6:30 PM Al-Nasr currently leads the standings with 32 points, followed by Al-Qurain (29), Khaitan and Al-Fahaheel (20 each), Al-Yarmouk (8), Al-Tadamon (5), and Al-Sahel (0).
Arab Times
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwait eyes glory as 10th Arab Handball Championship gets underway
KUWAIT CITY, May 4: The 10th edition of the Arab Men's Handball Championship officially begins today at the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Sports Complex Hall in Sabah Al-Salem. The tournament, running through May 11, features nine participating teams divided into three groups: Group A: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq Group C: Kuwait, UAE, Morocco Group B: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia According to tournament regulations, the top team from each group and the best second-placed team will qualify for the semi-finals. The championship opens with three first-round clashes: Iraq vs. Bahrain at 3:00 pm Qatar vs. Saudi Arabia at 5:00 pm Kuwait vs. Morocco at 7:00 pm The second and third rounds of the preliminary stage will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. Tournament Director and Secretary General of the Kuwait Handball Association, Qaid Al-Adwani, urged fans to rally behind the national team in its first match of the tournament. 'We are proud to host the 10th Arab Men's Handball Championship on Kuwaiti soil once again,' Al-Adwani said. 'This event reflects the unwavering support of our political leadership, the Minister of State for Youth Affairs, and the Public Authority for Sports.' He emphasized the national team's recent achievements and the importance of fan support ahead of the upcoming Asian Championship, which will serve as the qualifier for the 2027 World Cup, also to be hosted by Kuwait. Al-Adwani also praised Kuwait's long-standing legacy in organizing major regional and continental sports events. He thanked the organizing committees for their dedicated efforts over the past weeks and expressed his hope for a successful and well-run tournament. This is the first Arab Men's Handball Championship since 2002. Past winners include: Egypt: 1975, 1977 Kuwait: 1979, 1988 Tunisia: 1986, 1993 Saudi Arabia: 1988 Algeria: 2000 Bahrain: 2002 Kuwait aims to recapture glory as the championship returns to the "Land of Friendship and Peace."
