45 Players in the Initial Roster
The Bahrain School Handball Team Intensifies Preparations for the International School Games
Ismail Baqer, Director of Teams at the Bahrain Handball Federation, confirmed that the Bahrain school handball team, participating in the International School Games, continues its intensive preparations ahead of participating in the largest school games event in history, set to take place in the Kingdom of Bahrain next October under the royal patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Great King of the country, may God protect him.
Baqer explained that the team consists of 45 players divided into two squads, “Team A” and “Team B,” and includes players from the “Golden Generation,” who were developed as part of the project led by His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
He pointed out that these players are the same team that achieved first place in the recent Arab Championship held in Iraq, and the team also includes some players who participated in the Asian Junior Championship in Jordan and qualified for the upcoming 2024 World Cup finals.
Regarding the coaching staff, Baqer explained that the team is led by Tunisian coach Sobhi Majid, who previously coached Bahraini teams and the national junior team. He is assisted by Akbar Marzouq and Mahmoud Al-Saltana, along with Qasim Ahmed Khalil. Administrative affairs are handled by Mansoor Ahmed, and the medical side is supervised by specialists Karim Hassan and Mahmoud Al-Sheikh.
Baqer emphasized the importance of the tournament for the Bahrain Handball Federation, stating that it represents a unique opportunity for a new generation of players who have grown and developed through the “Golden Generation” competitions.
He explained that the federation aims, through this participation, to achieve advanced positions that reflect the significant growth of Bahraini handball, especially as the national teams have achieved consecutive qualifications for the World Cup finals, reflecting the level of development and professionalism the sport has reached in the kingdom.
Despite the expected strong competition in the tournament, Baqer affirmed that the primary goal for the Bahrain team is to be among the top four, while also striving to surpass this goal and achieve results worthy of the national aspirations.
He stressed that the continuous follow-up from the Bahrain Handball Federation, led by Mr. Ali Isa Ishaqi, contributed to creating the ideal environment that helped the players prepare excellently for the competition and honor the kingdom in the awaited global championship.
