TEHRAN – Iran’s men’s handball team lost to Kuwait 24-22 on Friday in the 2022 Asian Games.

Iran will play Bahrain and South Korea in the following days in Group I.

Team Melli had defeated Mongolia, lost to Japan and shared the spoils in a draw with Saudi Arabia in Group D.

Iran handball team won a bronze medal in the 2006 Asian Games in Doha and claimed the silver four years later in Guangzhou.

With more than 12,000 competitors from 45 nations and territories, the 2022 Asian Games has more participants than the Olympics.

Iran has sent 289 male and female athletes to the Games in 34 sports events.