The Dubai International Handball Championship – U16 is aiming to be even better in its third edition this year.

The event runs from August 17- 22 and kicks off Monday. with preliminary group matches at Al Manara Sports Hall, where four UAE clubs will be joined by five international teams in three groups.

Group A features two-time defending champions HEI/VRI from Denmark, along with Szekelyudvarhelyi KC from Romania and Dubai’s Al Nasr. Group B consists of Forshaga Handball from Sweden, Vac & Sport from France and Al Wasl. The lone international club in Group C is Sandefjord Tif Handball from Norway, alongside Al Shabab and Al Ahli.

The Junior Championship is once again organised by Dubai Sports Council (DSC) with the support of Dubai International Handball Club (DIHC) for the first time.

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“In this edition, we chose the best clubs of the past two editions to participate this year. This championship gives us many good players who will join the national team soon. Also, we are organising seminars and workshops for the coaches and officials. We will really benefit from this,” said Dubai Sports Council’s Ahmed Salem Al-Mehri, organizing committee chairman.

“The number of families coming with the players is increasing every year to 50 this edition and this will also help develop sport tourism.”

Two coaching sessions will be held during the tournament, with the first on August 20 and the second on August 22.

The seminars, led by experienced handball lecturers, will focus on coaching strategies and practical training sessions in an attempt to increase knowledge of the sport.