Asian champions Qatar have been drawn in a “tough” Group B for the men’s handball competition in the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) World Beach Games.
At the draw held at the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) headquarters yesterday, the host team’s coach Khaled Hasan opted to be drawn alongside Croatia, Hungary, Spain, Uruguay and Tunisia, to avoid five-time world champions Brazil and current European champion Denmark.
“It was a tough draw for us. We had the choice to select the group, but it was not an easy choice to make. I opted for Group B, but I think it will be a tough one as we have to play two big matches on the first day itself and it will not be easy for my ‘B’ team,” Hasan told Gulf Times after the draw.
“I don’t have my main players for the event as they are busy with the Olympic qualifiers. We have been training hard for the Games and will give our best. We have a plan to travel to Europe, most probably Spain, for a training camp soon.”
However, Qatar Handball Association executive director Yousef al-Hail stressed that the Qatari team’s chances are good. The team finished third twice at the IHF World Men’s Beach Handball Championship, and has won the Asian Men’s Beach Handball Championship five times. He said that the absence of some players will not be an obstacle to the team, which includes great members and is able to achieve the desired results in this big tournament.
The draw was attended by QOC Secretary-General HE Jassim bin Rashid al-Buenain, ANOC Secretary-General Gunilla Lindberg, representatives of the FIFA and the International Handball Federation (IHF), and participating teams.
The draw, which will bring together 12 teams have Brazil, Sweden, Denmark, Oman, USA and Australia in Group A.
For the women’s event, which will bring together 12 teams, the draw placed Brazil, Denmark, Hungary, Argentina, USA and Tunisia in Group A, while Group B comprises Greece, Spain, Poland, China, Australia and Vietnam.
In the men’s football event, 16 teams were divided into four groups of four. Group A has Brazil, Switzerland, UAE and Morocco, while Group B has Italy, Spain, Mexico and Solomon Islands. Iran, Paraguay, Senegal and Ukraine are in Group C, and Russia, Japan, Uruguay and El Salvador complete Group D.
In the women’s football competition, eight teams have been divided into two groups, with Spain, Brazil, Cape Verde and Mexico in Group A, and Britain, Russia, USA and Paraguay in Group B.
Speaking ahead of the draw, al-Buenain welcomed all the guests to Doha for the draw, while thanking the ANOC for their confidence in Qatar to host this edition of the Games.
He added the draws of handball and football competitions are crucial steps on the road to host this tournament.
The QOC secretary-general hoped that the first edition of the ANOC World Beach Games, Qatar 2019, would be a success.
ANOC’s Lindberg added: “I would like to express our gratitude to the Government of Qatar and the Qatar Olympic Committee for their enthusiasm and commitment to hosting an unforgettable ANOC World Beach Games.
“We are delighted to be joined by representatives from Beach Soccer Worldwide and the International Handball Federation for this draw. We thank them and all participating International Federations for their excellent co-operation and partnership. With their support and the support of the NOCs and all stakeholders in Qatar we have no doubt that the first-ever ANOC World Beach Games will be a great success.”
Assistant General Manager for Operations for Qatar 2019 ANOC World Beach Games, Khaleel Ibrahim al-Jaber, said that he has full confidence in Qatar’s ability to organise the Games in a great manner, especially as Qatar has the experience and cadres ready to host any sporting event.
He added that all the Qatari teams, whether in team or individual games, have been preparing well for the tournament for some time by participating in major tournaments and holding external camps in order to reach the best degree of readiness for the tournament. 
Al-Jaber said after the end of the tournament, the event will be followed by the General Assembly of ANOC and the ANOC awards ceremony for the best athletes on October 17-18.
The international beach multi-sport event is being organised by the ANOC and hosted by the QOC from October 12 -16 in Doha.

THE GROUPS
Men’s Beach Handball 
Group A: Brazil, Sweden, Denmark, Oman, USA and Australia
Group B: Croatia, Hungary, Spain, Qatar, Uruguay and Tunisia

Women’s Beach Handball 
Group A: Brazil, Denmark, Hungary, Argentina, USA and Tunisia
Group B: Greece, Spain, Poland, China, Australia and Vietnam.

Men’s Beach Soccer
Group A: Brazil Switzerland, UAE and Morocco
Group B: Italy, Spain, Mexico and Solomon Islands
Group C: Iran, Paraguay, Senegal and Ukraine
Group D: Russia, Japan, Uruguay and El Salvador

Women’s Beach Soccer
Group A: Spain, Brazil, Cape Verde and Mexico
Group B: Great Britain, Russia, USA and Paraguay
Related Story