Doha: Qatar’s gold medal victory in the men’s handball event at the Asian Games, just eight months after their maiden Asian Handball Championship triumph in Bahrain, has boosted the ambitions of the Gulf state ahead of the 2015 World Men’s Handball Championship, scheduled to be held in Doha between January 15 and February 1 next year.
Qatar beat host Korea 24:21 (12:11) to claim their first men’s handball gold at the Asian Games in Incheon on Thursday. Prior to this edition, Qatar’s best finish was a runner-up performance when Doha hosted the event in 2006.
Qatar Handball Association (QHA) President Ahmed Al Shaabi was truly impressed.
“Congratulations to this great team,” Al Shaabi said. “After winning all respective titles in all age categories at the continental level and the Asian Championships — winning the Asian Games gold medal means another step upwards on the ladder of success. Qatar deserves this title. We can all be proud of the team, coach Valero Rivera and the staff. The hard preparation throughout the summer was worth it. To win a final, beating the host of an event, like we did at the Asian Championships in Bahrain in February, is something very special. Only a very strong team can manage this.”
Qatar were ahead during most of the nail-biting match — thanks to the superb performances of goalkeeper Goran Stojanovic, who saved 12 Korean shots, and the six goals of line player Bertrand Roine. Eldar Memisevic and Youssef Benali scored five goals apiece.
“It’s another historic day for Qatar and Qatar handball,” said Rivera, last year’s IHF World Coach of the Year, who was appointed Qatar’s head coach in September 2013 after successfully leading Spain to the World Championship title in January 2013.
“I am so proud to lead this team. Those gold medals at the Asian Games will boost our confidence and ambitions for the 2015 World Championship in Doha. My team has shown great character. Now we will celebrate our triumph and then our full focus will be 100 per cent on the preparation for the World Championship on home ground.”
Qatar will be the first country of the Gulf region to host the Handball World Championship.
The home team will face defending World Champions Spain, 2013 World Championship semi-finalist Slovenia, Brazil, Belarus and Chile in their preliminary round Group A matches. The opening match on January 15 will be between Qatar and Brazil.
“I hope that this tremendous win at the Asian Games will boost our whole sport in Qatar,” said Al Shaabi. “We have implemented a highly successful youth programme in recent years, which is bearing fruit now. This title in Incheon will clearly promote handball but also the World Championship in Doha. The people in Qatar will cheer for their team, trying to carry them on the wings of success. I believe we can make our best result ever at World Championships with this team.”
As they did after their victory at the Asian Championships in January, the QHA will organise a reception at Hamad International Airport for the newly-crowned Asian Games champions.
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