(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Qatar School Sports Association will host the 24th ISF World Schools Handball Championships in Doha from February 22nd to 28th. The tournament, restricted to the under-17 age group, will be held across three venues Ali bin Hamad al-Attiyah Hall at Al Sadd Club, Aspire Dome and Women's Sports Hall in Aspire.
Hosts Qatar have only fielded boys team in the championship, and they are drawn in Group A along with Denmark, Austria, Poland and Morocco. Qatar will play their first match against Morocco on February 22nd at 1pm.
Defending champions Turkey, Brazil, Greece, India and Belgium are in Group C, while Group B consists of France, the tournament's most successful sides with six titles and runner-up in the 2016 edition, Croatia, Serbia, Iran and Bulgaria. Germany, Czech Republic, Romania and Georgia are in Group D.
In the girls' tournament, Group A is made up of Turkey, Germany, Romania and Bulgaria while Group B consists of Hungary, Austria, Serbia, Czech Republic and India. Slovenia, Brazil, Sweden and Greece complete Group C, while Denmark, France, Croatia, Belgium and Georgia are placed in Group D.
Qatar School Sports Association Secretary-General Ali Ahmed al-Hitmi said all the preparations are in place to hold the championships. 'It's a proud moment for us to host this championship. Qatar had previously organised the World Tennis School Championship two years ago with great success and I am sure the handball event too will be held received well, he said.
The International School Sport Federation (ISF) has allocated the tournament to Doha, considering Qatar's enthusiasm and ability to hold such championships successfully.
'The organizing committee is working to ensure a high level of readiness before the launch of this event, which is going to be held for the first time in Qatar. The confidence given by the ISF has encouraged the committee to ensure a successful organisation of the event and to highlight Qatar's capabilities in organising such large tournaments, al-Hitmi, who is also the President of Qatar Gymnastics Federation, said.
In recent years, the Qatar Olympic Committee has emphasised on holding tournaments for school children. The Qatar Sports School Federation's School Olympic Program (SOP) has been a grand success. The 11th edition of the SOP was held last October, with 214 schools taking part in the championship, which was held for 11 disciplines.
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