With profound sorrow, the global handball family bids farewell to Štefan Jug, a towering figure of Slovenian and international handball, who passed away at the age of 82. A pioneer, leader, and mentor, Jug devoted his life to the sport with unwavering commitment, leaving an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire generations.

An elite international referee across three decades, Jug rose to prominence early in his career. In 1971, he became the youngest referee in the former Yugoslavia. Together with his long-time partner, the late Herbert Jeglič, who also passed away in 2025, Jug formed one of the most distinguished refereeing pairs in handball history.

The duo officiated at 11 IHF World Championship editions and two editions of the Olympic Games, including Seoul 1988—where Jeglič and Jug became the first Slovenians to officiate an Olympic final—and Barcelona 1992. They also took charge of the 1990 IHF Men’s World Championship final in former Czechoslovakia.

The former referee's impact was felt beyong the court. After his active refereeing career, he served as a referee delegate and supervisor at domestic and international levels, contributing his expertise for the worldwide education. He was a valued member of expert commissions in Slovenia and the former Yugoslavia, as well as a lecturer for both the International Handball Federation and the European Handball Federation. He continued to work tirelessly in the development of young referees, helping to forge new generations of Slovenian and international officials.

On behalf of the international handball community, Dr Hassan Moustafa, the IHF President, extends the deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and respected him.