TDT | Manama

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Bahrain are gearing up for a demanding summer schedule after being drawn in two highly competitive Asian age-group championships, with the under-21 junior team set to compete first, followed later by the under-19 youth squad.

The matchups for both tournaments were confirmed last month by the Asian Handball Federation (AHF), setting the stage for two crucial continental campaigns across July and August.

Juniors set for China challenge

Bahrain's under-21 national team were placed in Group A of the 19th Asian Men's Junior Championship, scheduled to take place from 15 to 26 July in Chuzhou, China.

They will face Saudi Arabia, Oman, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China, and hosts China in the preliminary round of a tournament featuring 13 participating nations.

The junior championship also doubles as the qualification pathway for the 26th IHF Men's U21 World Championship, set to be held in North Macedonia from 23 June to 4 July next year, adding further importance to every group-stage fixture.

Bahrain's junior side will be aiming to continue their strong regional record, having reached the podium in each of the last three editions — winning silver in 2022 and securing bronze in both 2018 and 2024.

Preparation for the tournament is already underway, with head coach Hussam Madan and his technical staff, including former senior national team player Jaafar Abdulqader, overseeing training sessions at the Bahrain Handball Federation (BHF) Arena in Um Al Hassam.

Youth set for Uzbekistan test

Following the junior competition, attention will shift to Bahrain's under-19 national team, who were drawn in Group B of the 11th Asian Men's Youth Championship.

That tournament will be held in Andijan, Uzbekistan, from 10 to 21 August, with Bahrain facing a tough group featuring defending champions Japan, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong China.

Group A consists of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Chinese Taipei, China, and hosts Uzbekistan, forming a competitive 11-team field across the continent.

The youth championship will also serve as qualification for the 12th IHF Men's U19 World Championship in 2027, scheduled for July 29 to August 7. The top four teams from Asia will secure direct qualification.

Bahrain's youth team previously enjoyed strong success in the competition, winning back-to-back Asian titles in 2016 and 2018, but narrowly missed out on top-four finishes in the 2022 and 2024 editions.