Asian Games preparations gather pace
TDT | Manama
Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com
LESS THAN A MONTH TO GO
Bahrain’s men’s handball and basketball teams have stepped up their preparations for next month’s Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
HH Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, vice-president of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, recently visited training sessions of both teams to assess their progress ahead of the continental showpiece, which will take place from September 19 to October 4.
Shaikh Isa first attended the handball team’s training, where he was received by Bahrain Handball Federation president Ali Isa Ishaqi, board members and the squad’s technical and administrative staff.
He watched part of the session and was briefed on the team’s preparations and level of readiness before meeting the players.
Shaikh Isa conveyed the best wishes of HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president, while stressing the importance of reaching peak condition for the Games.
He also praised the handball team’s pedigree on the continental stage and expressed confidence in their ability to challenge for honours in Japan.
Coached by Swede Robert Hedin, Bahrain have been drawn in a challenging Group B alongside South Korea, Kuwait, Iran and Kazakhstan, while hosts Japan, China, Hong Kong and two-time defending champions Qatar make up Group A.
The nationals will be looking to go one better after claiming silver at each of the past two Asian Games, having also won bronze in 2014.
They head into the tournament following an impressive run of success, winning their maiden Asian Men’s Handball Championship title in January before adding GCC Games gold in May. Bahrain also captured the Islamic Solidarity Games crown last November.
HH Shaikh Isa later visited the men’s basketball team’s training in the presence of Bahrain Basketball Association vice-president Nader Al Awadhi and other board members, meeting the players and coaching staff while observing their preparations.
The basketball squad have since travelled to Doha, where they begin a three-nation friendly tournament against hosts Qatar today at 7pm.
Newly appointed Greek-Slovenian head coach Slobodan Subotic’s side will then face Saudi Arabia tomorrow at the same time as they continue preparations for a busy period of international competition.
Following the Doha tournament, Bahrain will travel to Dubai for the first round of the Fiba Asia Cup 2029 pre-qualifiers, where they have been drawn alongside hosts UAE, Oman, Nepal and Kuwait.
Their attention will then turn to the Asian Games, where they will compete in Group C alongside defending champions the Philippines, China and Kazakhstan.
Basketball squad depart for Doha
Bahrain’s senior men’s basketball team have departed for Doha to compete in a three-nation friendly tournament alongside hosts Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
The squad completed their final training sessions at home under head coach Slobodan Subotic, with the coaching staff focusing on technical and physical readiness as well as tactical work.
The Bahrainis will use their two matches in Qatar as their final competitive tune-ups before travelling directly to Dubai for their upcoming continental pre-qualifiers.
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