Slemani — The University of Slemani women’s handball team was crowned champions of the Iraqi Women’s Handball League for the first time after defeating Kufa 21-15 in the decisive final-round match of the 2025-26 season.
The second and concluding phase of the league took place from July 5 to July 8 at the Hall of the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences at the University of Slemani, with seven teams competing across four rounds to determine the season’s final standings.
The University of Slemani finished at the top of the table to claim its maiden Iraqi Women’s Handball League title, while Kufa secured second place and Al-Karkh finished third.
In the championship-deciding seventh round, the hosts defeated Kufa 21-15 to seal the league crown. In the other fixtures, Al-Turath University edged Shahraban 8-7, while Difaa Al-Jawi and Al-Rafidain played out an 8-8 draw.
The newly crowned champions entered the final round in strong form, having opened the second phase with a 20-11 victory over Al-Turath University before cruising to a 31-6 win against Shahraban.
The 2025-26 league featured seven teams: the University of Slemani, Al-Turath University, Al-Karkh, Kufa, Difaa Al-Jawi, Al-Rafidain, and Shahraban.
The competition was played in a single round-robin format over seven rounds. The opening three rounds were held in Baghdad in mid-April, while the remaining four rounds were staged in Slemani, where the league champion was ultimately decided.
The title marks a historic achievement for the University of Slemani’s women’s handball program and underscores the continued growth of women’s sport in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, as universities and clubs increasingly invest in female athletic competitions.
