Barbar End Seven-Year Wait for Seventh League Crown

Barbar were crowned champions of the 2025–26 Khalid bin Hamad Bahrain Handball League after defeating Al Ahli 28–26 in a gripping final played before a sold-out crowd at Khalifa Sports City Arena.

The victory secured Barbar’s seventh league title and their first since the 2018–19 season, ending a seven-year wait to return to the summit of Bahraini handball. Meanwhile, Al Ahli’s wait for a record-extending 20th league title continues after a 10-year drought.

Barbar, who finished fourth in the regular season, booked their place in the final after a stunning best-of-three semi-final sweep over defending champions Al Najma. Al Ahli, who ended the regular season just one point ahead of them in third, also progressed with a sweep over Al Shabab.

The final also highlighted the contrasting leadership on the sidelines. Barbar were guided by Bahraini coach Hussam Madan, while Al Ahli were led by Serbian tactician Predrag Petljanski.

The championship clash attracted several notable sporting figures, including Ali Mohamed Isa Eshaqi, President of the Bahrain Handball Federation, HH Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Vice President of the General Sports Authority, and HH Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee.

Also in attendance were H.E. Abdulrahman Sadiq Askar, Chief Executive Officer of the General Sports Authority, as well as Bahrain basketball stars Mustafa Rashid, his brother Ali Rashid, and Ali Meelad.

The opening stages were fiercely contested. Mahmood Al Jawhar and Salman Al Showaikh both threatened early for Barbar, but Al Ahli goalkeeper Hussain Mahfoudh produced several important saves to keep them at bay.

Abdulla Ali opened the scoring for Ahli in the third minute before Al Showaikh responded from the wing. He then struck again moments later to put Barbar ahead, while goalkeeper Isa Khalaf added to the lead with an impressive goal-to-goal effort after Ahli left their net unattended.

The momentum swung repeatedly throughout the first half. Ali Mirza helped Ahli draw level at 3–3, while Mohammed Ayyad and Al Jawhar kept Barbar in front during a tight opening period.

Ahli gradually found their rhythm and, after trailing for much of the half, moved ahead through Yousif Al Qassimi. Youngster Qassim Qambar then continued his strong form from the semi-finals and helped Ahli establish a three-goal cushion at 10–7.

Despite several key stops from the Barbar goalkeeper, Ahli maintained control late in the half and carried a 12–10 advantage into the break.

Ali Mirza extended Ahli’s lead to 13–10 shortly after the restart, but Barbar refused to allow the game to drift away. Mohammed Ayyad and Al Showaikh led the fightback, while strong defensive work and key saves kept the contest within reach.

Barbar eventually erased the deficit when Al Showaikh levelled the score at 14–14 with an emphatic penalty throw. Moayyed Samir then completed the turnaround on a fast break, while Hassan Al Fardan and Ayyad kept the pressure firmly on Ahli.

The contest remained deadlocked entering the final quarter. Mohamed Al Maqabi was shown a red card for Barbar after an accidental defensive challenge, but the dismissal did not disrupt their momentum.

Ali Mirza briefly gave Ahli a 22–21 lead with just over 10 minutes remaining, only for Al Showaikh to respond from the penalty line. Barbar then regained the initiative as the match entered its decisive stages.

With the tension rising, Al Showaikh fired home to make it 25–23 before Moayyed Samir struck at a crucial moment to restore a one-goal advantage after Ahli had narrowed the gap.

Youngster Ahmed Ayyad then scored to make it 27–25 before Ali Abdulqader effectively sealed the title with a powerful strike for 28–26 with less than a minute remaining.

A huge late save preserved Barbar’s advantage as the closing seconds ticked away, with celebrations already beginning to build among the club’s supporters.

When the final whistle sounded, Barbar’s players and fans erupted in celebration as the club completed a memorable campaign and secured a long-awaited return to the top of Bahraini handball.