Volleyball – Muharraq clinched the 49th Crown Prince Volleyball Cup after a hard-fought victory over Dar Kulaib in the final played at Isa Bin Rashid Volleyball Arena of Isa Sports City in Riffa.
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, delegated Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to attend the final match on his behalf.
A large crowd of fans, several dignitaries and official guests attended the match, which was officiated by an experienced refereeing team led by international referees Ali Makki Al Sheikh (first referee) and Khalid Al Shomli (second referee).
Muharraq secured a well-deserved victory after scoring three sets to one: 25-21, 19-25, 25-21 and 25-23. It claimed the prestigious cup, bringing their tally to 14 league titles in the club’s history.
Muharraq’s win was attributed to the mental focus of the team’s setter, Mahmood Al Afia, who orchestrated an effective offensive performance from Swedish Jacob Link, Nasser Anan, Sayed Hashem Sayed Isa, Abbas Al Khabbaz and Mohammed Omar, in addition to their solid blocking efforts that countered Dar Kulaib’s attacks.
On the other hand, Dar Kulaib employed an open playing style that relied heavily on their top scorers, Mahmood Abdulwahid and Croatian player Tomislav. This approach became predictable and easier for Muharraq’s defence and blockers to counter.
The team’s over-reliance on wing players made it difficult to penetrate Muharraq’s well-organised blocking and defensive lines. Also, Dar Kulaib’s blockers found it difficult to contain Muharraq’s diverse offensive plays, especially those led by the Swedish Jacob.
Shaikh Mohammed presented the championship trophy to the Muharraq Club and awarded medals to the winning team and the runners-up.
He affirmed that Bahrain’s continued success in hosting and competing in local and international sporting events reflects the growth and development of the kingdom’s sports sector.
“This progress has been made possible through the unwavering support of His Majesty King Hamad and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister,” Shaikh Mohammed noted.
He commended the exceptional performance of all participating clubs, highlighting their competitive spirit and the high calibre of the players, which reflects the advanced standard of volleyball in the kingdom.
Shaikh Mohammed also highlighted the efforts made by the Bahrain Volleyball Association in the excellent organisation of the tournament.
He congratulated the board members of the Muharraq Club and their fans on the victory, wishing them continued success.
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