Qatari National Youth Handball Team Heads to China for Asian U‑20 Championship

The Qatar national youth handball team will depart Friday for China to compete in the 19th Asian Men’s Junior Handball Championship, hosted in Chuzhou from July 15 to 27. The continental tournament doubles as a qualifier for the IHF Men’s Junior World Championship in North Macedonia.

The Qatari squad has completed an intensive preparation program and enters the competition aiming to reach the knockout stages and contend for the title. Their campaign begins against South Korea on July 15, followed by a Gulf derby against the UAE on July 16. Matches against Japan (July 17), Iran (July 19), Kuwait (July 21), and India (July 22) will conclude the preliminary round.

Director of Youth and Junior Handball Teams, Salem Mohammed Al Dosari, confirmed the team’s readiness, noting that preparations included training camps in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, as well as participation in an international friendly tournament in the UAE. Qatar reached the final of that event, finishing second, with Al Dosari stressing that the focus was on technical development rather than results.

The final stage of preparations in Doha featured three friendlies against Bahrain, which provided valuable opportunities for the coaching staff to evaluate performance and refine tactics. The team will play one last warm‑up against China before their opening match, ensuring readiness for continental competition.

Al Dosari emphasized that Qatar’s youth team aspires to deliver an honorable performance, continuing the nation’s tradition of podium finishes in handball. He highlighted the broader goal of sustaining Qatar’s presence in regional and international tournaments, reinforcing the country’s reputation as a rising force in the sport.

The Asian Championship represents a crucial step in Qatar’s handball journey, offering young players the chance to showcase their talent on the continental stage while keeping alive ambitions of qualifying for the world championship.

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