Team Capable of Winning GCC Club Handball Championship

The secret behind the success of the Qatari handball and becoming a world-class team is due to the great and unlimited support given by the wise leadership of the country led by HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, said HE Chairman of Al Gharafa Sports Club Sheikh Jassim bin Thamer Al-Thani, noting at the same time that Al Gharafa club has all the determinants of success and experience that qualify it to host and win the title of the 37th GCC Club Handball Championship, which starts tomorrow (Monday) at Al Gharafa club.
In an exclusive interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), HE the Chairman of Al Gharafa Club said that HH the Emir's support to all sports and handball in particular contributed to the team's success in view of the excellent results achieved in the world championships as it reached second place globally, adding that athletes in Qatar enjoy the availability of all means of support and the determinants of success that make them capable of excellent and creative achievements.
The Chairman of Al Gharafa hailed the Qatari handball team's readiness to make outstanding achievements for the Qatari handball in the 37th GCC Club Handball Championship to be hosted by Al Gharafa for the first time in its history, and expressed his pleasure at the club hosting of this prestigious Gulf event and the team's participation to pick up the title for the first time, especially as the team enjoys playing at home.
He revealed that the organizing committee completed all preparations for the launch of this important GCC event, and discussed a number of topics pertaining to the event, most notably the adoption of the tournament logo and distributing venues and dates of training to the representatives of the clubs in order to facilitate their preparation for the tournament in which seven GCC clubs are taking part, namely: Al Ahli and Barbar clubs from Bahrain, Al Noor club from Saudi Arabia, Sharjah club from the UAE, Muscat club from Oman, as well as defending champion Al Rayyan and the host Al Gharafa.
His Excellency stressed that the achievement of the championship title is the most important priority, adding: "There are no obstacles to achieve our ambition for winning the cup. From the technical and physical aspects, the team is ready for the challenge, and we have professional players such as Egyptian Hani Al Fakharani, Tunisian Hossam Rumman and Sobhi Said." HE Sheikh Jassim bin Thamer Al-Thani said that he was the president of Qatar Handball Association from 2002 to 2005, pointing to his most prominent achievements during this period which included the qualification of the country's handball team for the world cup twice for the first time and wining the bronze medal in the Asian Games in Busan.
HE Sheikh Jassim bin Thamer Al-Thani told QNA that the Gharafa Sports Club (GSC) has laid the right foundation for the Handball and focused on developing the game, starting with the junior teams. 
He added that the State's great attention to the sports sector had a great effect on advancing the standard of the game. Previously, GCS lacked the infrastructure and facilities, HE Sheikh Jassim said, adding that with the great support from the State and creating the right atmosphere, the club managed to build and became one of the important tributaries to National Teams in all games. 
He stressed that attention to junior teams is the policy currently adopted at the club despite being a difficult task that needs a lot of patience and efforts. The junior teams are actual and real investment for any club that wants to make accomplishments and win tournaments. GSC is giving attention to all types of sports, not only football, he added. 
HE Sheikh Jassim bin Thamer Al-Thani pointed that he prefers not to interfere in the technical issues, explaining that he delegates his authorities to the right people who can support the club. 
On the GCC Handball Championship, he said that it is an important event, adding that during the past few years the Gulf Handball has seen remarkable progress, pointing to the fact that teams of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have become important and hard figure in Asian Handball. 
He urged the public, especially the game enthusiasts to attend the matches, pointing that supporters are play an important role in for motivating the players and helping them make their best. 
At the conclusion of the interview, he said that being the host nation of the GCC Handball Championship, there is only one choice, and that is the Championship title, expressing confidence that the athletes and the technical staff will spare no effort in pursuing Qatar's first title in this tournament. 

Source: QNA