Brazil confirmed as first stop on 2023 IHF Beach Handball Global Tour
23 Mar. 2023
The city of MaricĂĄ in Brazil will host Stage 1 of the 2023 IHF Beach Handball Global Tour from 26 to 30 April.
Located on the South Atlantic coast and just 25km from Rio de Janeiro, MaricĂĄ will welcome up to 12 menâs and womenâs national teams from across the world, including the host nationâs menâs and womenâs sides.
Supported by the MaricĂĄ local government, in association with the Brazilian Handball Confederation, the five days of action will also see a wide range of off-court activities taking place throughout the MaricĂĄ community, including workshops with schools and information exchange between students, players and officials.
âIt is with great pleasure that we can announce Brazil as the hosts of Stage 1 of the 2023 IHF Beach Handball Global Tour,â said IHF Beach Handball Working Group Chair Giampiero Masi.
âBoth the Brazilian menâs and womenâs teams are well-known the world over for their success at all levels on the sand and this, combined with the deep-rooted history and culture of the sport in the country, has led it to being called the âspiritual homeâ of beach handball.
âThis culture has provided world-leading referees, coaches and officials, as well as a continued development of the next generation at all levels, something which MaricĂĄ will be integrating into their hosting of this first stage.Â
âAll of this, added to strong local government support, leaves us in no doubt that this first stage will be in safe hands.â
Stage 2 of the 2023 IHF Beach Handball Global Tour is set to take place in Africa in June, with details to be revealed soon.
â2023 promises to be another important year for beach handball development on the world stage,â added Masi.
âWith the IHF Beach Handball Global Tour featuring a number of stages across the world, various continental championships, the 2023 ANOC World Beach Games in Indonesia, where beach handball is set to be one of the sporting highlights again.
âWe will also see the expected International Olympic Committee decision for the official inclusion of beach handball among the sports of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.â
The IHF Beach Handball Global Tour was launched last year at the 2022 IHF Menâs and Womenâs Beach Handball World Championships in Greece. It debuted in Gdansk, Poland, in July, with Croatia winning the menâs tournament and Spain taking the top spot in the womenâs tournament. Â