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Bahraini volleyball ace Hisham Abdul Qader Ahmed is facing one of the toughest challenges of his careers - leading his team against the cream of the sport's crop in the Gulf.
The joyous members of the all-conquering Busaiteen Club, victorious in this year's Crown Prince Cup, are still enjoying the cheers echoing in their ears and have been attending celebratory events in the kingdom in recent days.
But hard-hitting captain Hisham is under no illusion that the hard work is still to come and glory for the kingdom awaits in the Arab Clubs' Championship.
He said: "I am really excited and happy for the team because this will be the first time Busaiteen plays in an international championship.
"I am proud of the team's hard work and hope to keep the winning streak alive by clinching the championship title."
The event takes place in Syria in March 2009 and the Busaiteen Club with its sponsors, Riffa Views and Ahmed Sharif Furniture, are already focused on the challenges ahead.
Hisham, a 32-year-old architectural engineer, has been playing volleyball for almost 20 years and simply loves the game. He said: "Volleyball is amazing. I love everything about it from serving, passing, setting, blocking and best of all attacking! I started as a spiker and that is my favourite part of the game.
"Despite the fact that I didn't know much about the game when I first started playing, after only a couple of months of training I couldn't live without it!"
The left handed dynamo's talent for the game was first spotted by his sixth grade sports teacher, Jamal Ribeaah.
Hisham, who lives in Busaiteen, explained: "My sports teacher was coaching at the Al Khaleej Club and he encouraged me to join. I played for the club for 10 long years before I joined Busaiteen. "Truth be told, I was recruited after playing in a very difficult game against Saudi Arabia during the national team championship in 1998. I am still remembered for that win as I played a major role in it.
"I had joined in the third set and helped turn the game around. After trailing 0-2 we went on to win 3-2."
Hisham has appeared in the Bahrain national volleyball team in more than 70 games against worldwide opposition including Romania, Bulgaria, Japan, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt and the neighbouring Gulf nations.
He said: "My last official match was in 2001 against the Kuwaiti national team. My biggest inspiration was Mohammed Al Shaikh, captain of the Bahrain national team who also wore number 15.
"Although I was sad to stop playing for the national team, I understood that it was time to make room for new star players like Ayman Salman, Mohammed Jassim and Hisham Dawood.
"I believe that my generation was one of the golden periods in Bahrain volleyball history and I truly enjoyed it."
Hisham has focused all his energies in recent seasons on bringing on his new team-mates and with the support of his loving wife his career has continued to blossom alongside the club's fortunes.
He said: "My wife is my biggest fan and supporter. Although when we first got married I'm sure she wanted me to stop playing so much as I was spending too much time at work or on the court ... but she has never stopped supporting me.
"Although it has always been a bit of a struggle to balance work and volleyball, it was probably more difficult during my university years.
"It was hard to cope with exams and games. But I do not have any regrets. I am glad that I carried on with volleyball as this is a sport I can never let go of.
"I am hoping my one month old son Abdulla one day finds the same kind of love for a sport, whatever it may be!"
Training for the championship will take place in October and the new season officially begins on January 31.
Until then, Hisham will be keeping trim in the annual company league where he will play for Ahmed Mansoor Al A'ali. He said: "The season may be over, but we never stop playing.
"I usually train five to six times a week for three to four hours a day. I would say that jumping exercises are the most important in volleyball but again there are many other important exercises to help increase speed, reflexes and strength."
Last week Khaleeji Commercial Bank sponsored a special banquet to honour the team's achievement and wished the players continued success.
