Al-Otaibi: Al-Burqan's Participation in the World Cup an Opportunity to Gain Experience
Al-Otaibi clarified that Al-Burqan's participation in the World Cup is an opportunity to gain experience despite financial challenges.
Translated by Qiyas from النهار — Original source
Anwar Al-Otaibi, president of Burqan Club, emphasized the importance of participating in the IHF Men’s Club World Championship, which will be held in Cairo, Egypt, from September 24 to October 1. Al-Otaibi said that the club’s participation, marking its first appearance in the tournament’s history, offers a unique opportunity to compete against the world’s best teams and gain experience that will aid in preparing for domestic competitions.
Al-Otaibi, who led the team during its recent preparatory camp in Bosnia that concluded recently, stated that while Burqan’s ambitions are high, the current financial resources and preparation conditions do not match the scale and strength of the Club World Championship. He clarified that the primary objective of participating is to maximize technical benefits, gain experience, and engage with global handball traditions. “We will try to present our best, but we also view our participation realistically, as it is our first time on this global stage,” he said.
He added that the team aims to compete strongly in domestic competitions during the new season, primarily the league and the cup, as well as to complete last season’s competitions that were interrupted. He confirmed that participation in the World Championship will serve as an important step in preparing players for these upcoming commitments.
Al-Otaibi praised the significant efforts made by the technical and administrative staff, as well as the players, in recent months. He noted that the pressure faced by everyone before and during the Asian Club Championship, hosted recently in Kuwait—where Burqan successfully won the title for the first time in its history—was extremely high.
He indicated that he would not overburden the players beyond their capacity during the Club World Championship, emphasizing that the goal is to deliver a respectable performance, benefit from competing against international teams, and gain further experience before returning to better prepare for domestic competitions and future commitments.
