The fourth Islamic Solidarity Games take place from 8-22 May in Baku, Azerbaijan and will feature men’s and women’s handball.

 

Last week the draw was made for the male and female preliminary round groups who will compete at the Sarhadchi Arena over the six-day competition from 9-14 May.

 

The team sport draw featured five sports: football, volleyball, basketball 3x3, water polo and handball.

 

The Islamic Solidarity Games involve elite athletes from the 57-member countries of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, with the Games overseen by The Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF). Non-Muslim citizens of these countries also participate in the Games which include 20 sports, in total, complete with two para-sports.

 

The first Islamic Solidarity Games took place in Mecca, Saudi Arabia in 2005, followed by Tehran, Iran (2010) and Palembang, Indonesia, in 2013.

 

Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games – Handball Draw

 

Women’s Competition (5 teams)

Cameroon, Uzbekistan, Ivory Coast, Turkey, Azerbaijan

 

All teams will play each other once, with the first two teams competing in the gold medal match. The third and fourth-placed teams will play for the bronze medal.

 

Men’s Competition (8 teams)

Group A: Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Azerbaijan

Group B: Turkey, Morocco, Iraq, Afghanistan

 

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, with the winners of each semi-final playing for gold and the losers for bronze.

 

Tickets for the Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games are available online, via the Baku2017 website – www.baku2017.com/tickets or via 12 outlets located across Baku.

 

For further information visit www.baku2017.com.

Photos: Baku 2017