Part two of the four-part Olympic Solidarity Cape Verde course recently completed in the African island nation (1-13 November) on Sal and Santiago with part three scheduled for January and part four scheduled for July.

Led by IHF CCM Lecturer from the Handball Federation of Portugal, Dr José António Silva (POR), Olympic Solidarity in Cape Verde is being held across the various different islands of the archipelago nation with sessions already held in São Vicente and Santo Antão.

On the island of Sal, the course began on 1 November with the participation of 13 trainees. In Praia, on the island of Santiago, the course began on 8 November with 26 trainees participating.

Physical education teachers and handball coaches took part in the two courses, having been taught content that includes the introduction to handball in different contexts, the training of handball teams as well as preparation for the competition.

In addition to the course, Dr Silva also participated in several training sessions at some clubs and in a clinic directed at coaches in Praia.

A variety of dignitaries have been in attendance throughout the Olympic Solidarity courses, with Chairman of the Cape Verde Olympic Committee (COC), Filomena Fortes attending the opening ceremony of part two in Praia on the island of Santiago. Theoretical sessions of the course were held at the Training Centre of the Cape Verdean Football Federation with practical sessions delivered at the Vava Sports Pavilion Duarte.

In a speech, Chairman Fortes emphasised the importance of handball attracting more people for its continued development, while Deputy Minister of the Prime Minister for Youth and Sport Dr Carlos Monteiro also confirmed governmental support for handball in the country.

Additionally, IT equipment was handed over to the Cape Verde Handball Federation as part of the Olympic Committee's support programme for National Federations.

About Olympic Solidarity

Olympic Solidarity’s mission is to help National Olympic Committees (NOCs) develop and strengthen their structures, support their athletes, coaches and administrators, and promote the Olympic values through targeted programmes.

These programmes enable them to not only consolidate their position within the Olympic Movement and their own national sports structures, but also to increase their autonomy and independence. With better support, the NOCs are better able to carry out their responsibilities.

In partnership with the International Olympic Committee, National Olympic Committees and Olympic Solidarity, IHF aims to provide National Federations with the best support possible to effectively develop and grow the game of handball in their country.

Click here for more information about Olympic Solidarity.