KUWAIT: Kuwait National Water Polo team lost its classification match for places 17 to 20 of FINA World Men's Junior Water Polo Championship, Kuwait 2019 against Uzbekistan 9-23 yesterday. Kuwait's goals were scored by Mubarak Dashti (5), Abdallah Jassim (2), Mohammad Ashkanani and Saud Al-Otaibi.

Also in the same stage Brazil beat Iran 11-8, then for places 13 to 16 Russia defeated China 19-7, and South Africa defeated Egypt 8-7 for places from 9 to 12, Hungary defeated New Zealand 20-4 and Canada defeated Australia 11-8.

Kuwait will play Iran today for the 19 and 20th places, while Uzbekistan will play Brazil for 17th and 18th. Russia will face South Africa for 13 and 14th and China against Egypt for 15th and 16th.

Hungary will play Canada for 9 and 10th and New Zealand will play Australia for 11 and 12th.
Meanwhile the deciding round for the second and third place finishers in the first groups round resulted in Croatia defeating New Zealand 15-6, Montenegro defeated Hungary 15-4, Japan defeated Australia 11-10 and USA defeated Canada 12-6.

Kuwait Swimming Federation Secretary Thamer Al-Shamroukh said the major success of the tournament was due to the support of the Public Authority for Sport, and pointed to the role of the Deputy Director General for constructions at PAS Sheikh Humoud Al-Mubarak in caring for the facility that is hosting the event.

Al-Shamroukh said the federation acted as a team in preparing for the championship which came out in a distinguished technical level, in addition to its organizational success.
He also appreciated the efforts of health, information and municipality ministries which contributed to removing all obstacles the organizing committee faced.

Al-Shamroukh said Kuwait Federation will start preparing for organizing the swimming event with the Gulf games to be hosted by Kuwait next April, adding that the federation will work hard to develop the swimming, diving and water polo games.

The Greek team coach Theo Lorantos said his team is under tremendous pressure because it is the current title holder, adding that it is very difficult to repeat winning the title.
He said there is not a clear candidate to win gold in the presence of several good teams, adding that though his team does not fear others, it does respect all competitors.

By Abdellatif Sharaa