The 2nd West Asia Men’s Volleyball Championship wrapped up on July 22 at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher with host Oman defeating Qatar 3-0 in the final to claim the title while Iraq secured bronze by beating Kuwait 3-1 in the third-place playoff. Saudi Arabia ended in fifth place, Syria took sixth and Lebanon finished seventh according to the final tournament placings. Kuwait Volleyball Association president Dr. Jaber Al-Merri described the championship as a valuable opportunity for the national team to regain competitive rhythm after sporting activities in the country were suspended due to regional developments.
Al-Merri said the team had entered the tournament determined to challenge for a podium finish even though it faced several obstacles including the prolonged halt in domestic competition and injuries to a number of key players. He added that Kuwait’s primary objective had been to reach the final and compete for the championship title although the side ultimately missed out on a medal. The association president expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall performance noting that the interruption of sporting activities had affected the players’ fitness and match readiness.
The championship which ran from July 12 to 22 and featured seven teams served as the second edition of the men’s West Asia event organised by the West Asian Volleyball Association. Al-Merri indicated that the competition allowed the squad to rebuild match sharpness ahead of its next assignment at the Arab Championship scheduled for October in Jordan. Fixtures remaining in the 2025-26 domestic season will resume in September while the new season is set to begin in October according to the association head.
Dr. Jaber Al-Merri emphasised that despite the fourth-place result the tournament had provided essential exposure for the players who had been away from regular competitive play for an extended period. He pointed to the value of such regional events in helping the national side address gaps in conditioning and coordination created by the suspension of local leagues. The comments from Al-Merri came after the playoff defeat as the team reflected on its showing in Muscat.
The Kuwait Volleyball Association has used the West Asia Championship as part of a broader plan to restore momentum in the sport following the period of inactivity. Al-Merri’s assessment highlighted how the matches against strong regional opponents contributed to the team’s preparation even if the final standing fell short of initial targets. This focus on development aligns with the association’s stated schedule for resuming full domestic and international commitments in the coming months.
