ABU DHABI: Deputy Chairman of the Kuwait Handball Federation Shabib Al-Hajri commended the Kuwaiti youth team for their impressive performance in clinching the silver medal in the Gulf Youth Games in Abu Dhabi. Defeating the UAE national team in the final match, Kuwait secured the second spot on the podium, while the gold medal went to the Saudi team. Al-Hajri expressed full satisfaction with the overall performance of the Kuwaiti youth throughout the tournament, highlighting their second-place achievement. He emphasized that the team possesses young talents with the potential to guide the national team towards future achievements.

Al-Hajri stressed the team’s participation in upcoming tournaments like the Asian Cup and the World Cup, stating that participating will boost the Kuwaiti youth’s abilities to excel and represent their country proudly. The Kuwaiti handball team clinched their fourth victory, defeating the UAE 33-20, and securing eight points to win the silver medal in the UAE-hosted handball competition.

Kuwait and UAE players fight for the ball in the handball match.

Meanwhile, Kuwait on Saturday won 16 more medals in karate, swimming, table tennis, archery and electronic games in the First Gulf Youth Games, which kicked off in the UAE on April 16.

Kuwait’s national karate team won 10 medals, including three gold, one silver and six bronze, while swimmers obtained three medals; one gold and two bronze. The country’s table tennis squad clinched one silver medal, and its archery team won one bronze medal. In electronic games, Kuwait secured one bronze medal. Hosted by the UAE, the first Gulf Youth Games kicked off on April 16 and will conclude on May 2, 2024, with the participation of 3,500 male and female athletes competing in 24 disciplines, under the theme, “Our Gulf is One... Our youth are promising”. — KUNA