The Giza Pyramids Plateau in Egypt witnessed a star-studded spectacular event on Saturday (5 September) evening as the draw for the 2021 IHF Men’s World Championship took place at the UNESCO World Heritage List site.

Under strict precautionary measures due to the COVID-19 global outbreak, a limited amount of guests were in attendance, including IHF President Dr Hassan Moustafa, Egyptian Prime Minister Dr Mostafa Madbouly and Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr Ashraf Sobhy, alongside team representatives, ambassadors and former and current Egypt players.

Montasser El Nabarawy, President of ‘Tazkarti’, the organisers of the event had promised before the event “to produce a spectacular draw ceremony” and he was not wrong.

Hosted by Egyptian television presenter Jessy Taha and Egyptian actors Engy El Mokaddem and Khaled El Nabawy, the show got started with a performance from the multi award-winning and much-loved Egyptian musician and composer Omar Khariat in front of a full orchestra, with a number of speeches following, including IHF President Dr Hassan Moustafa, Egyptian Prime Minister – and former handball player – Dr Mostafa Madbouly and Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr Ashraf Sobhy.

With the Giza Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza lit up in blue and pink lights, contrasting with the pitch black evening sky, and more blue lights radiating into the atmosphere, guests enjoyed the night’s breeze as they watched a special 3D Mapping show integrating aspects of past and present Egypt and the sporting arenas set to be used for Egypt 2021 before ending on a simple message: ‘Welcome to Egypt’.

This was followed by ‘Arabs Got Talent’ 2019 winners ‘Mayyas Dance Crew’, who created a show highlighting the movement of hands and arms – the very DNA of handball.

Horus the mascot revealed

‘Horus’ the mascot was then revealed, described as “a mixture between the ancient Egyptian culture and heritage, and the handball sport”. The mascot was shown on the giant screens in an animation running from Ancient Egypt, through a portal into modern Egypt.

The official mascot of the 27th IHF Men's World Championship was unveiled tonight at the #Egypt2021 draw!#bestofhandball #staystrong pic.twitter.com/r8BufNrnqy

— International Handball Federation (@ihf_info) September 5, 2020

Surrounded by dancers, Horus then showed off some his own dancing skills with the conclusion of the reveal met with an impressive firework display over the backdrop of the Giza Pyramids.

Ahead of the draw itself, the audience was then treated to an in-depth look at the four arenas being used for the championship before IHF Commission of Organising and Competition (COC) Chairperson Per Bertelsen and IHF Competitions Director Patric Strub commenced the draw.

They were assisted by senior Egypt players Ali Zein and captain Ahmed Elahmar, and Egypt’s 2019 IHF Men’s Youth World Championship winners, Abdelrahman Mohamed Homayed and Hassan Walid Ahmed. Poland were the very first team to be drawn out, while Austria were the 32nd and last team.

About Egypt 2021

The 27th edition of the IHF Men’s World Championship – the first IHF World Championship to be played with 32 teams – will take place in Egypt from 13 to 31 January 2021 at four venues, the Cairo Stadium Indoor Hall, The New Administrative Capital Hall, The 6th of October Hall and The Borg El Arab Hall. 

For further information about the 2021 IHF Men’s World Championship visit www.handballegypt2021.com.

PHOTOS: www.handballegypt2021.com