Sharjah delivered a commanding performance in the UAE Handball Youth League on Monday, securing a 56-32 victory over Dibba Al Hisn. The visitors established their dominance early, relying on disciplined defensive structures and efficient attacking sequences to build a 26-12 lead by the halftime interval. This 14-point cushion provided a stable platform, allowing Sharjah to maintain focus and fend off any potential comeback attempts from Dibba Al Hisn throughout the second half. Leaving Dibba Al Hisn with a sizeable deficit to overcome, their defensive organisation and efficient play in attack allowed them to build a 26-12 lead by halftime. But Sharjah continued to dictate the pace and protect their advantage, dibba Al Hisn attempted to respond after the interval. The visitors remained composed in both ends of the court and eventually completed a convincing 56-32 win. And they maintained their composure in the second half to close out the match without allowing their opponents to mount a serious comeback, the 14-point halftime advantage gave them a solid platform.
The match featured officiating from Dr. Major Omar Zubair Al Marzouqi, a figure of immense standing in the handball community. Al Marzouqi began his career as a player for Al Nasr Club between 1984 and 1998 before transitioning into a distinguished refereeing career that saw him reach Olympic, world, and international levels. He made history as the first Asian official to referee at World Championship semi-finals and finals, helping pave the way for broader representation of Asian and Arab officials globally. Earning international, Olympic and world-level recognition, he went on to establish himself as one of the region’s most accomplished officials.
Over his lengthy career, Al Marzouqi has officiated in approximately 60 major championships, including World Championships in Sweden, Spain, Egypt, and Greece. His international resume also features the Women’s World Championship in South Korea and Asian Games in Qatar and China. His Olympic experience includes duty at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Games. In August 2016, he served as the sole Asian technical observer at the Rio Olympics, where he supervised 12 high-stakes men’s matches, including quarter-final and semi-final rounds.
The day’s league schedule saw several other lopsided outcomes across the country. Al Jazira opened proceedings with a dominant 58-6 thrashing of Bani Yas at the Al Zalaqa School Sports Hall. Elsewhere, a separate team secured a comfortable 52-12 win over Al Wahda at the Al Nasr Club Hall, showcasing the depth of talent currently competing in the youth circuit.
Action continued at other venues with varied levels of competitiveness. Shabab Al Ahli performed strongly to beat Al Dhafra 54-33 at the Al Nahda Sports Hall. Meanwhile, Al Bataeh edged out Mleiha 54-44 in a more closely contested matchup held at the Mleiha Club Hall. The final result of the day saw Al Wasl record one of the largest margins, defeating Al Ain 60-29 at the Main Hall. Al Bataeh overcame Mleiha 54-44 at Mleiha Club Hall in another competitive encounter.
These results highlight the current landscape of the UAE Handball Youth League, where established clubs are maintaining high performance standards. The ongoing participation of experienced officials like Al Marzouqi continues to bolster the quality of the domestic game and contributes to the developmental trajectory of young players across the region.
