*** Shabab, Dair set for Gulf clubs handball title bid | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Shabab, Dair set for Gulf clubs handball title bid

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s Al Shabab and Al Dair are set to compete in the 40th Gulf Clubs Handball Championship, taking place in Doha later this month.

The draw for the competition, scheduled for February 25 to March 5, was held last night, with Dair going to Group A and Shabab in Group B for the tournament’s preliminary round.

Dair are in the same pool as Al Arabi of Qatar, Oman Club of Oman and Burgan SC of Kuwait.

Shabab have been drawn with defending champions Kuwait SC of Kuwait, Al Rayyan of Qatar and Maliha of the UAE. Last year’s tournament was hosted by the Kingdom, with Bahrain being represented by Al Najma and Al Ahli.

Najma finished as runners-up after going down fighting in the gold medal game to Kuwait.

Sharjah of the UAE claimed bronze after defeating Arabi. Bahrain’s Ahli clinched fifth place overall.

Najma won the crown in the tournament’s 2022 edition after defeating Saudi’s Mudhar.

It was the sixth time the Bahraini side claimed the coveted championship.

Their previous title victories came in 2001, 1998, 1990, 1985 and 1984.