Kuwait's handball team heads to Japan to compete in the 2026 Asian Games (Aichi-Nagoya)
Kuwait City, Sept 9 (KUNA) -- The Kuwaiti national handball team departed today for Japan to participate in the 20th Asian Games (Aichi-Nagoya 2026), which will run from September 19 to 29. The “Blue Handball” team will hold an internal training camp in Tokyo, the Japanese capital, to carry out the final preparation phase ahead of the tournament, with the aim of sustaining its Asian presence after winning the bronze medal at the previous edition (Hangzhou 2023) by defeating Japan in the third-place match.
In this regard, Qa’id Al-Adwani, Secretary General of the Kuwaiti Handball Federation and head of the Kuwaiti delegation, told KUNA before departure that the Federation’s plan involves an eight-day internal training camp in Tokyo, followed by a move to Nagoya, the host city of the Games. He emphasized that both the Federation and the players aspire to compete for a medal at this edition.
Al-Adwani confirmed that the squad is in a state of full readiness ahead of the competitions and is fully committed to fulfilling its responsibilities, aiming to delight Kuwaiti fans and deliver performances that reflect the stature of Kuwaiti handball in Asia, despite being drawn into a challenging group.
He extended his gratitude to Kuwait Olympic Committee Chairman Sheikh Nasser Al-Sabah and State Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs Dr. Tariq Al-Jalahma for their full support and for removing all obstacles facing the Kuwaiti delegation, in order to achieve a result befitting Kuwaiti handball and to raise the Kuwaiti flag at the Asian arena.
The team delegation is accompanied by Federation Treasurer Khaled Talib, team manager Fahd Rabee, and the technical staff, including head coach Aron Kristansson, assistant coach Henk Janssen, and physiotherapist Mehdi Al-Bakoush. The squad comprises 16 players: Hussain Dashti, Mohamed Bouyabes, Hassan Safar, Abdullah Al-Khamis, Saleh Al-Musawi, Saif Al-Adwani, Hamoud Al-Adwani, Abdulaziz Salmeen, Haydar Dashti, Fawaz Al-Mashari, Yousef Dhaif, Abdulaziz Dhaif, Abdulrahman Al-Shamari, Abdulaziz Al-Shamari, Mohamed Ali, and Hussain Al-Mutawa.
The draw placed Kuwait in Group B alongside Bahrain, South Korea, Iran, and Kazakhstan. The team will open its preliminary campaign against Iran on September 19, followed by matches against South Korea on September 21, Kazakhstan on September 22, and Bahrain on September 25. (End) H.M.Sh / A.M.H
