(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) KUWAIT, Jan 16 (KUNA) -- Kuwait handball team have defeated Iraq 25-22 at the beginning of the 19th edition of the Asia Men's Handball Championship on Thursday.
The event, featuring 13 teams, is currently hosted by Kuwait and runs until January 27. It will qualify for the World Handball Cup
In the first half, there was a fierce competition between the two rivals; however, the Kuwaiti players managed to outrival the Iraqis with 11-9.
The Kuwaiti team continued controlling the game in the second half, snatching two points at the end.
The UAE crushed Hong Kong 38-11 in the same Group D, winning also two points.
In Group A, Bahrain smashed New Zealand 45-16, while Qatar crushed China 49-18 in the same group. In Group C, South Korea outrivaled Australia 40-20.
In a press statement, captain of Kuwait's team Mahdi Al-Qallaf said the players managed to pass this key opener.
He stressed that the Kuwaiti players were determined to perform well in order to highlight the position of the game in Kuwait.
Saud Al-Duwaihi, who ranked as the best player in the game, said he is eyeing the world handball cup.
He noted that the players made a brilliant show, vowing to present better performances in the next games.
Meanwhile, President of Kuwaiti Olympic Committee (KOC) Sheikh Fahd Nasser Sabah Al-Sabah expressed, in a speech at the opening ceremony of the tournament, his appreciation to the government of Kuwait represented by the Public Authority for Sport (PAS) to host the event and ensure all requirements.
He appreciated and thanked the International Handball Federation (IHF) for hosting the tourney and the provision of all technical and administrative requirements.
He also congratulated all athletes on opening Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah Complex where the tournament is held.
He expressed his appreciation to His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah for his patronage and attendance of the event as well as his unlimited efforts and support to host the championship.
Meanwhile, IHF Vice President for Asia Bader Al-Theyab stressed, on the sidelines of the opening ceremony, his confidence in Kuwait's players to organize the event, thanking the KOC and PAS for hosting the continental tournament.
Earlier in the day, the 19th edition of the Asian Men's Handball Championship was opened under the patronage of, and with the attendance of, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah at Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah Complex. (end)
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