Joksimovic signs off as Dar Kulaib complete unbeaten title run

TDT | Manama

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Dar Kulaib wrapped up the 2025-26 Isa Bin Rashid Bahrain Volley ball League title on Thursday with a 3-0 win over Ma’ameer, securing the championship with one match still to play and extending their unbeaten run to 25 games. While the result underlined their clear superiority this season, attention around the club is turning to what comes next beyond the domestic campaign.

Montenegrin head coach Ivan Joksimovic, who has overseen Dar Kulaib’s title-winning season, is set to bow out of his role at the end of the league campaign to take charge of the Bahrain national team. His final league fixture in charge will be tomorrow at 6:45pm against Al Dair at Isa Bin Rashid Volleyball Arena.

The timing means Dar Kulaib will complete a historic unbeaten league season under a coach who will immediately transition into the national setup, adding significance to the closing stages of their campaign.

Joksimovic’s tenure has also strengthened Dar Kulaib’s place in Bahraini volleyball history. With the latest league triumph, he has now guided the club to two Isa Bin Rashid Bahrain Volleyball League titles (2022- 23 and 2025-26), alongside the Crown Prince’s Cup title in 2022-23.

That success has contributed to Dar Kulaib’s overall haul of four top-flight league crowns, moving them into third place on the all-time list. They now sit just one title behind Al Ahli, who have five, while Muharraq remain well clear at the top with 16 league championships.

Joksimovic has guided a squad built around consistency and cohesion, receiving key contributions throughout the season from Kenyan professional Enock Mogeni and a core of Bahraini players including Hasan Al Warqaa, Mahmood Abdulwahed, Ali Habib, Abbas Abdulla, Ali Marhoon, Ali Mohammed Abdulnabi and Hassan Alaiwi.

Their final match will be followed by Muharraq’s meeting with Al Ahli at 8:15pm, a match that will decide the final standings behind the champions, with both sides having won their penultimate games.

Dar Kulaib will then turn their attention to the 2025-26 His Royal Highness the Crown Prince’s Cup, where all 14 clubs will compete in a knockout format. As league champions, they will enter the competition with a direct place in the quarter-finals.