The Kuwait Handball Federation moved to strike both clubs from the league standings and schedule after they missed multiple fixtures at the start of the restarted season, triggering automatic removal under competition regulations that impose administrative and financial sanctions following three consecutive absences. Federation officials said the decision finalizes the process that began with the clubs’ earlier announcements to step away from senior-level play. The governing body had initially kept both teams on the schedule while awaiting formal confirmation of their withdrawals but adjusted all future matches once the stipulated threshold was passed.
Al Jarida reported on July 7 that Salmiya had officially informed the federation of its decision to withdraw from the senior competition and focus instead on the three youth categories of under-21, under-18 and under-16 levels. The newspaper’s sources indicated Qadsia had taken a similar step weeks earlier, leaving the premier division with six participating clubs for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. The federation expects to promote two teams from the first division ahead of the 2026-27 campaign to restore the top flight to eight sides.
The Premier League had been suspended since early March because of regional developments across the Gulf, with the season resuming on October 6 at the Handball Federation Hall where opening matches went ahead without the two absent clubs. According to the federation’s published schedule, Qadsia and Salmiya had been listed for early fixtures against Sulaibikhat, Burgan and others but did not appear, prompting the regulatory process that culminated in their removal. The remaining teams have committed to finishing the campaign despite the smaller field.
Al Shabab, which has not fielded a senior side for three seasons, has signaled its intention to rejoin the first division next year while Al Jahra is actively studying a return to top-level competition, the federation noted in its updates on league composition. Should both clubs follow through, the lower tier would operate with five teams during the upcoming season before the planned promotions take effect. Federation statements placed the focus on stabilizing the domestic structure through these adjustments.
The Kuwait Handball Federation announced resumption dates that placed the first division opener on October 3 and the Premier League start on October 8, with the Federation Cup scheduled to begin on November 9. These timelines were distributed to all clubs following the suspension earlier in the year. Officials added that player movement rules now allow senior squad members from Qadsia and Salmiya to sign with other participating teams.
Both clubs rank among Kuwait’s most established handball programs, yet their decisions reflect a strategic shift toward youth development that the federation has acknowledged in its planning documents. The governing body indicated it will issue an updated league table and revised calendar in the coming days to reflect the changes. League officials have emphasized that the adjustments aim to ensure competitive integrity for the teams that remained committed throughout the suspension period.
