Bahrain announces handball squad for Asian Beach Games

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain has announced its men’s beach handball squad for the sixth Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China, from April 21 to 30. Head coach Hussain Al Qaidoum will lead goalkeepers Ali Ghassan and Abdulla AlZeemor, alongside field players Bilal Askani, Ali Al Hayki, Ali Al Malooni, Komail Mahfoodh, Mehdi Ali, Komail Ali, AlSayed Ahmed Faeq, and Adam Nasheet.

The team has been drawn in a competitive Group A with hosts China, Iran, the Philippines, Hong Kong, India, and Sri Lanka. Al Qaidoum described the draw as “balanced,” noting the seven-team group offers more flexibility than Group B’s eight sides.

He stressed that the early fixtures will help the squad build match rhythm and aim for a semi-final berth, though the later rounds are expected to be tough, with experienced sides like Qatar, Oman, Jordan, and Pakistan waiting in Group B.

Bahrain’s group-stage schedule is packed: they open against China on April 21 at 7am, face India later the same day at 12pm, then meet the Philippines on April 22 at 5am. Matches continue against Sri Lanka on April 24 at 1pm, Iran on April 26 at 11am, and Hong Kong on April 27 at 6am. Semi-finals are set for April 28, with the final scheduled for April 30.

The Kingdom boasts a proud history at the Asian Beach Games, with 11 medals across five editions, including seven golds.

Their standout performance came in 2014 in Phuket, Thailand, where they won five golds and two silvers. The men’s beach handball team has also shown promise, finishing fifth in 2016 in Da Nang, Vietnam, behind Qatar, Oman, Pakistan, and China.