Pakistan handball flourishing in 2020

Despite a severe reduction in activities due to the COVID-19 global outbreak, the Pakistan Handball Federation (PHF) have been busy in 2020.

ihf.info brings you an update on the activities from the Asian country which has been a member of the IHF since 1985. 

Celebrating International Handball Week

Like many federations around the world, the Pakistan handball family came together for International Handball Week last month, with the PHF running an online course for coaches.

Held over seven days, the course saw over 300 handball coaches and sportspeople in attendance. The first day saw PHF President and Asian Handball Federation (AHF) Secretary General Muhammad Shafiq welcome participants and highlight the history of both the PHF and IHF, following it up with a lecture on ‘Warming Up’ in handball later in the week.

Other lecturer throughout the week included certified coach and gold medallist Muhammad Sohaib, delivering two lectures: one on ‘Individual Tactical Elements of Defence’ and one on ‘Individual Attack Activities’, while Dr Rimsha Younas delivered her lecture on ‘Sports Nutrition’.

Azhar-ul-Haq, who won gold in the South Asian Games, and is also a certified coach, presented about ‘Elements of Fitness, while Dr Asad Abbas from the Medical Commission of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Pakistan, delivered a lecture on ‘Sports Injuries and Doping’.

The week was concluded with Pakistan NOC President and Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia, Lt. Gen (R) Syed Arif Hassan, delivering a closing address where he congratulated the IHF for the week-long celebration of handball and recognised their efforts for promoting and developing the sport around the world. 

He also thanked the PHF for their efforts in organising the course in the current COVID-19 situation before thanking the experts and participants who were in attendance and those who helped organise it.

Eight videos relating to the week can be found on the PHF YouTube channel HERE  

Life on the beach

In February, the ‘United Zone Beach Handball Club Championship 2020’ took place at the home of handball in Pakistan – the International Handball Stadium at the University of Agriculture in Faisalabad.

Nine teams took part: Sohaib, Pindi, United Zone, Misaq, Ghona, Hassan, Al Sabir, Ehsan, Royal Brothers, Al Noman and Unity, with Sohaib Club winning the title.

Acknowledging success

Earlier this year, following the conclusion of the men’s league, the PHF awarded Muhammad Zubair with the title of ‘2019/20 Best Player of the Year’, while Naveed ur Rehman won the ‘Best Defender’ and Asif Ali the ‘Best Goalkeeper’ titles.

The men’s team won gold at the 2019 edition of the South Asian Games, beating neighbours and rivals India 30:29 in the final last December.

In recognition of a successful season, the Pakistan Sports Board awarded cash prizes to the 15-man squad in a ceremony which took place at the Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) in capital city Islamabad with Parliamentary Secretary Ministry of IPC Saima Nadeem, Secretary Ministry of IPC Muhammad Ali Shahzada, Sr Joint Secretary Syed Khalid Ali Raza Gardezi, PHF Secretary General Javed Iqbal Gill and Deputy DG PSB Muhammad Azam Dar all in attendance.

Independence Day celebrations

A number of handball associations across the country celebrated Pakistan Independence Day on 14 August including players and coaches from the Lahore Handball planting trees while Loyalpur Warriors celebrated the day with gold medal-winning players from the Asian Beach Games and South Asian Games, alongside wheelchair players from Wapda City, at a special event also attended by PHF President Muhammad Shafiq. The President and PHF Secretary General Javed Iqbal also planted trees on the special day.

For further information about the Pakistan Handball Federation, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pakhandball. 

Photo: Pakistan Handball Federation