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Qatar News Agency reported that the national youth handball team arrived in Suzhou on July 11 and promptly held its first training session at the championship venue. The practice emphasized technical skills along with physical conditioning to help the squad adjust after traveling from Doha. Officials described the session as varied and effective in sharpening the players’ abilities in the lead-up to competitive matches.
All members of the team remain injury-free and ready for the tournament, the news agency added. Al Dosari stated that the friendly would give coaches a final chance to evaluate the squad. “The team completed a varied training session upon arrival, with a focus on technical and physical preparation. Sunday’s friendly against China will provide the coaching staff with a valuable opportunity to assess the players’ technical readiness and evaluate their performance levels ahead of the tournament,” he said.
The 19th Asian Men’s Junior Handball Championship runs from July 15 to 27 in Suzhou and qualifies teams for the 2027 IHF Men’s Junior World Championship in North Macedonia, the International Handball Federation has confirmed. Qatar opens its group campaign against South Korea on July 15 before meeting the United Arab Emirates on July 16 and Japan on July 17. The Asian Handball Federation has organized the event for under-20 sides across the region since its early editions.
Past tournament results from the Asian Handball Federation show that Qatar claimed the title at the 13th edition in 2012. The Qatar Olympic Committee has described the country’s handball teams as among the strongest outside Europe. This track record supports the current squad’s stated aim of finishing in top positions and contending for the championship.
The competition features several leading Asian junior programs and has expanded in profile with each edition. Such tournaments allow emerging players to gain experience against regional rivals while vying for world championship spots. The friendly against China therefore forms an important step in adapting to conditions at the host venue.
Qatar News Agency noted that the team departed for China earlier in the week with clear objectives for the event. Further training sessions are planned after the friendly to refine tactics before the group stage begins. The squad’s campaign reflects Qatar’s continued focus on nurturing handball talent through structured international exposure.
