Bahrain Take On Palestine in Arab Challenge Cup

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s senior men’s volleyball team begin their quest for more regional success today, opening their Arab Challenge Cup campaign against Palestine at 3pm at Princess Saeeda Hall. The Palestinians arrive following a 3-0 straight-sets defeat to Egypt yesterday, giving Bahrain a potentially advantageous start to the four-team preliminary stage.

Also today, Kuwait face hosts Jordan at 5pm, while Tunisia take on Egypt at 7pm. All matches are being played at Princess Saeeda Hall in Amman.

The competition, organised by the Arab Volleyball Association with the Jordan Volleyball Federation, also features Tunisia, Egypt, Kuwait, and hosts Jordan. After today’s opener, Bahrain will face Egypt on Monday at 7pm, Kuwait on Tuesday at 7pm, and Jordan at 5pm on December 5, with rest days in between.

Head coach Arnaud Josserand has retained the core of the squad that secured bronze at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh earlier this month. The 14-player roster includes Naser Anan, Mohammed Anan, Ali Ebrahim, Mahmood Alafyah, Hassan Al Warqaa, Ayman Harwana, Abbas Al Khabbaz, Hussain Mansoor, Sayed Hashim Issa, Mahmoud Abdulwahed, Mohammed Abdulla, Sayed Mohammed Jawad, Hani Alawi, and Mahmood Abdulhussain.

Success here would extend Bahrain’s remarkable streak and cement the nation’s growing influence in Arab men’s volleyball. This builds on recent achievements including bronze at the Islamic Solidarity Games, silver in the West Asia Championship, historic AVC Nations Cup gold, and last year’s Arab Men’s Championship title.