Bahrain’s Volleyball Supremacy Up For Grabs

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s volleyball powerhouses Dar Kulaib and Al Ahli will face each other tomorrow in the semi-finals of the 2026 West Asia Men’s Clubs Volleyball Championship (WAVA) after both secured strong wins yesterday in Kuwait. The domestic showdown promises to decide the kingdom’s top contender for the title.

Dar Kulaib, coached by Ivan Joksimovic from Montenegro, competed in Group C and extended their campaign with a 3-0 victory over Iraq’s Ghaz Al Junoob, taking the sets 25-19, 28-26, 25-17. The Bahrainis had opened the tournament with a 3-1 win over Oman’s Al Seeb, followed by a 3-0 sweep of Kuwait’s Burgan SC, before suffering a narrow 3-2 defeat to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad.

Al Ahli, coached by Brazilian Renato Castro, also booked their semi-final spot with a 3-0 win over Al Ittihad Jeddah (25-21, 25-18, 25-17) in Group B. The Manama-based side had earlier beaten Qatar’s Al Wakrah 3-0, Lebanon’s Jeunesse Sportif Batroun 3-0, and recorded a tight 3-2 victory against Kuwait Club to finish atop their group.

With both teams advancing, Bahrain will be represented by two sides in the knockout stage, keeping the kingdom’s chances of a WAVA title alive. Tomorrow’s semi-final between Dar Kulaib and Al Ahli will determine which side claims the distinction of the nation’s top contender, with the winner advancing to the gold medal match on Saturday.

Both teams are also vying for a berth in the 2026 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Men’s Champions League, set in Pontianak, Indonesia, from May 13 to 17.