MUSCAT — The Oman Handball Association (OHA) is all set for a 12-team test event ahead of the fifth Beach Handball World Championships to be hosted at Al Musannah Sports City. The participating teams in the world championships, which will run from July 8-14, will starting arriving today and head straight to Al Musannah with some of them taking part in the test tournament.
The three-day test event, which will start on Wednesday, provides the opportunity for the organisers as well as the participating teams to have a first hand experience of the facilities. According to the OHA officials, four play grounds are ready for the championships. The main ground will accommodate 2,500 spectators. All the other facilities, including the floodlights, will be in place before the championships kick off.
The officials also informed that there is a plan to put up a heritage tent to showcase the Omani handicrafts and there will also be folklore performances during the championships. Meanwhile, the officials said 12 teams, six men’s and six women’s squads, will be participating in the test event. In men’s competition Oman, Kuwait, Australia, Croatia, Egypt and Qatar will vie for top honours. Men will compete in two groups. The first, second and third placed teams in groups will compete for first, third and fifth place respectively.
In women’s competition, Norway, Italy, Uruguay, Croatia and Australia will be in action. They will all play against with each other first. Then the first and second placed teams will compete for first place while the third and fourth placed teams will play for third place.
