(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Defending champions Al Jaish - thanks to the draw - have managed to avoid a meeting with local opponents Lekhwiya and Al Gharafa in the group stage of the 17th Asian Clubs League Handball Championship.
The three Qatari clubs are among the top ten professional clubs from Asia who will be vying for the top prize in the continental championship which will be held at two venues in Qatar.
Two clubs from Saudi Arabia and Iran, and once each from Saudi Arabia, Oman and Jordan will be seen in action in the championship.
Al Jaish, winners of the last championship, have been drawn alongside Al Kuwait Club of Kuwait, Al Khalij Club of Saudi Arabia, Manyazom Janob of Iran and Ahli Sedab of Oman.
In Group A, two Qatari clubs will be vying to make it to the next stage from the group.
Lekhwiya Club and Al Gharafa Club have to contend with Al Salt Club of Jordan, Thamen Al Hojaj of Iran, and Al Qurein Club of Kuwait in Group A. After the completion of the first stage, the two best ranked teams from each group will face-off in the semi-finals while the remaining teams will continue to play in the placement round.
"I would like to express my gratitude to the Organising Committee for their hospitality and for providing us with these incredible facilities for the 17th Asian Handball's Club League Championship. From the bottom of my heart I would wish them all the best for the upcoming World Championship," said Dr Ahmed Abu Al Lail, Executive Director of the Asian Handball Federation (AHF).
Before the draw procedures commenced, Dr. Ahmad and the President of the Qatar Handball Association (QHA). Ahmed Al Shaabi signed a partnership agreement. The draw was conducted by Dr Ahmed and Jassim Al Theyab, Technical Manager of AHF. To analyse the ongoing process in terms of preparation for the World Championship three IHF officials will be on hand during the Asian Club League to inspect the event and the arenas.
Two newly constructed stadiums, Multipurpose Hall at Lusail and Al Sadd Handball Stadium, will host the championship from November 29 to December 8.
The event will be the last championship before the 2015 World Championship which Qatar will host from January 15 to February 1 at three venues, Multipurpose Hall at Lusail, Qatar handball Association Hall at Duhail and Al Sadd Handball Stadium.
Twenty four nations will vie for the Men's Handball World Championship crown, won by hosts Spain in 2013, under the guidance of the current Qatar Team head coach, Valero Rivera.
In September, Qatar Handball Association hosted the IHF Super Globe which was the first successful test event before the 2015 World Championship.
"We can be sure that after the success of the IHF Super Globe event earlier this year in September and the activation of the Qatar Handball Association Complex the Asian Club League Championship in Doha also will leave positive impressions on the teams, the fans and the officials and will be a great start for the main event in January," said Ahmed Al Shaabi, President of the QHA and Vice President of the Qatar 2015 Organising Committee during the Asian Club League draw yesterday.
For the third straight time, Doha will be hosting the Asian Clubs League, a qualification event for the IHF upcoming Super Globe 2015. In 2012 and 2013 two Qatar based teams, Al Rayyan in 2012 and Al Jaish in 2013, stood atop the winners' podium at the Asian Club League. Even the record winner of the competition comes from Doha as Al Sadd won the event five times between 2000 to 2005. Overall, Qatari teams have won 13 medals in this tournament: seven gold, three silver and three bronze.
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