It will be a great pleasure for me to meet you in China in order to celebrate together the organization of the Women’s World Handball Championship 2009 where the best 24 teams from five continents will participate. The IHF entrusted China to host the Women’s World Championship 2009 believing in the capabilities of this great people. With confidence, China 2009 will be the best ever held championship as so far we witnessed seriousness and devotion from everyone who is involved in this great event. On behalf of the International Handball Federation, I would like to convey my appreciation for the Chinese government as well as for the organizing committee and their ongoing work in order to guarantee the success of this championship. I would also like to invite the Chinese audience and spectators to attend matches whether their team is playing or not in order to achieve the set goals of this important championship.