UAE Youth Handball Team Kicks Off Preparations for Clash Against China in Asian Youth Games Opener in Bahrain

The UAE national youth handball team held its first training session this evening in the Bahraini capital, Manama, following the delegation’s arrival to participate in the 3rd Asian Youth Games, hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain from October 22 to 31. The UAE is competing in 19 different sports at the event.

The team is set to begin its campaign tomorrow, Sunday, with a crucial opening match against China in Group B, which also includes Kuwait, Iran, Thailand, and Kazakhstan. The Emirati squad aims to make a strong start that will boost its momentum throughout the tournament.

The 18-player roster includes: Masoud Ahmed, Abdulrahman Ahmed, Mohammed Hassan, Hamad Tareq, Khaled Rabea, Abdullah Ali, Mousa Jumaa, Ibrahim Shami, Al Hassan Ali, Al Hussain Ali, Saeed Abdulwahid, Saeed Khaled, Zayed Ali, Ali Hassan, Omar Khaled, Ali Abdullah, Mohammed Saif, and Abdulrahman Mohammed.

Team head coach Khaled Ahmed praised the players’ spirit and discipline during the initial training sessions, emphasizing that the squad is in excellent physical and tactical shape to compete at a high level.

“Our preparations have been solid, and the players are highly motivated and focused,” he said. “In recent days, we’ve worked on improving our defensive organization and enhancing offensive efficiency. Today, we’re fine-tuning some final tactical details ahead of the match against China. We have full confidence in our players and aim to deliver a performance that reflects the reputation of Emirati handball. We hope to meet expectations and achieve a positive result in our opening game.”

The coach also stressed the importance of such continental events in developing the skills of young athletes and exposing them to diverse Asian playing styles, which is key to building a generation capable of representing the UAE in major international tournaments in the future.

The UAE delegation to the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Bahrain includes 152 athletes (107 males and 45 females), competing in 19 sports: handball, 3x3 basketball, equestrian (show jumping and endurance), athletics, swimming, road cycling, boxing, muay thai, esports, weightlifting, triathlon, taekwondo, table tennis, camel racing, badminton, golf, judo, jiu-jitsu, and mixed martial arts (MMA).