BAHRAIN’S under-17 handball team yesterday continued their outstanding form in the second Asian Youth Games, being held in Nanjing, China.
The young Bahraini heroes defeated Thailand 32-23 for their second successive victory in Group ‘C’, ensuring themselves a place in the quarter-finals.
They had a dominant performance in the first match against Chinese Taipei, whom they beat 34-28 for a flying start in this 16-team event, which is part of a multi-sport continental tournament.
Fadhel Al Haddad scored nine goals, the highest in the game, to lead the Adel Al Sabba-coached Bahraini team to win this 60-minute encounter. Bahrain were also leading the game 16-10 at half-time. He was well assisted by Hussain Makki’s six goals and Khalil Mubarak’s five.
Also spearheading the Bahrain team yesterday were Hassan Madan, Zaher Omar, Hasan Al Adhab, Mahmood Al Salatena, Qasim Hasan, Ali Shaalan, Abdulrahaman Al Douky, Nadeem Al Qattan, Khaled Al Balooshi, and goalkeepers Qasim Al Shuwaikh and Mohamed Farsan.
Bahrain were placed in Group ‘C’, which also includes favourites Kuwait, who also sealed their berth in the competition’s last eight after an easy 31-25 (12-8 half-time) victory over Chinese Taipei later in the day.
It was Kuwait’s second straight win in the competition, having defeated Thailand 37-22 (17-12) in the group opener. They now share top spot with Bahrain in this four-nation group with four points each from two matches.
Bahrain will now play Kuwait today to decide whoever wins the group. This game is set for a 12.15pm start (Bahrain time).
Both Thailand and Chinese Taipei, who are out of the tournament after failing to achieve any point from their previous two matches, will clash in a consolation game early today.
Sixteen teams are competing in the handball championship. They were divided into four groups of four teams, with each group winners and runners-up reaching the second round.
In the second round, also featuring single round robin matches, the top eight will be drawn into two groups to decide the teams reaching the semi-finals.
Bahrain sent three more teams – athletics, table tennis and fencing for the Far East for this nine-day Games. The Games, which officially gets underway on Friday, will feature 118 events in 15 sports, four of which involve football, rugby sevens, 3×3 basketball and handball teams.
Bahrain is one of 45 countries from around Asia to take part in this continental gathering, which is an international multi-sport event held every four years for athletes aged 14 to 17 years old.
The 15 sports for the Second Asian Youth Games in Nanjing include athletics, aquatics (swimming and diving), football, tennis, rugby sevens, golf, fencing, basketball, weightlifting, badminton, table tennis, handball, judo, squash and shooting.
Meanwhile, the Athletes’ Village of the Asian Youth Games officially opened earlier this week amid a grand welcome ceremony for China’s sports delegation at the Great Hall located within the Village’s International Zone.
The flag of Olympic council of Asia, as well as the People’s Republic of China, were raised during the opening ceremony of the athletes’ village. China’s sports delegation was the first to enter the Village.
As one of the key venue of AYG Nanjing 2013 and the most important service provider, the Athletes’ Village will work provide high quality services to create a safe and comfortable environment.
The Village has been divided into three parts, living areas, international areas and public areas. In these areas, Games organizers will provide food service from four designated hotels, registration of athletes and team officials, transportation, logistics, sports exercise, religious services and language assistance.