Bahrain face Thailand in opener

Manama : Bahrain’s national beach handball kick off their campaign today against Thailand as the Fifth Asian Beach Games gets underway in Da Nang, Vietnam.

Bahrain have been drawn in a relatively tough Group ‘A’ along with Qatar, Pakistan, India and Thailand. Group ‘B’ features Vietnam, Qatar, Japan, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.

Bahrain is coached by Raed Al Marzooq, who has high hopes on his squad comprising Fahad Jassim, Jaffer Abbas, Mahmood Ali, Mohammed Jawad, Adam AL Nasheet, Belal Bahsam, Tamim Al Mawlani, Saye Shihab, Abdulla Al Zaymoor and Hussain Al Qaydoom.

Bahrain played their last friendly against Japan and took a first half 24-12 lead and won the second half 18-17.

Meanwhile, the bodybuilding team will end their preparations under coach Ahmed Haider and administrator Saleh Al Ammar, who said the team had made decent preparations ahead of the competition and will be spearheaded by Ali Al Qassab, Mohammed Rashid and Jassim Marhoon, with the weigh-in scheduled tomorrow, to be followed by the main show.

Ahmed Janahi, administrator of the wrestling and jiu jitsu teams also arrived in Vietnam yesterday. All four teams will commence their respective training today.

Technical meetings for the jiu jitsu took place yesterday, as Ali Monfaradi, coached by Reza Monf is due to take part in the 77kg category .