The Gulf Club Handball Championship will kick off this Saturday in Muscat, under the patronage of H.H. Sayyid Mohammed bin Salim al Said. The opening ceremony will welcome key figures, including Moosa al Balushi, Chairman of the Oman Handball Association (OHA), and Jihad al Shaikh, the chairman of the organizing committee.
The tournament’s preparations are now complete. Officials have finalized hotel bookings, transportation, and stadium setups. Jihad al Shaikh commented, “Everything is ready, and we are excited to host this prestigious tournament.”
As the championship approaches, teams from Oman and Seeb clubs are completing their final preparations. Oman Club recently finished a training camp in Bahrain. They secured two impressive wins over Al Ahli Bahrain (32-25) and Al Dair Bahrain (33-30). Head coach Ibrahim Bouderbali used these matches to assess his players and test different tactics.
“Our goal is clear: to represent Oman proudly and perform at our best in every match,” said Bouderbali. “Despite a few injuries, our squad is strong, and we’re ready for the challenge. High morale and solid performances are our focus.”
Moreover, to strengthen their squad, Oman Club signed three professional players: Ali bin Abdullah (Bahrain), Qam bin Mohammed (Bahrain), and Mohamed Ihab Brouis (Algeria).
Seeb Club has also ramped up its preparations. They are now following an intense two-session daily schedule under national coach Nabil al Balushi. The team currently holds second place in the domestic league and is eager to maintain its strong form in the Gulf Club Handball Championship. Seeb has reinforced its lineup with two new signings: Ahmed Redha (Bahrain) and Muhannad Al Zarafi (Ahli Sidab).
Additionally, the championship will feature eight teams divided into two groups. Group A includes Al Rayyan (Qatar), Al Najma (Bahrain), Al Noor (Saudi Arabia), and Seeb (Oman). Group B consists of Oman Club (Oman), Kuwait SC (Kuwait), Dibba al Hisn (UAE), and Al Arab (Qatar).
The official technical meeting will be held on Friday to finalize tournament regulations, team rosters, and jersey colors.
