The Canadian Team Handball Federation has announced the passing of Mohamed Benkreira, the former men’s senior national team coach, CAC-NCCP Handball lecturer, and former IHF lecturer.

Benkreira has dedicated almost all of his life to handball, a sport he has been involved in since 1976, playing or coaching on four different continents and being involved in dozens of international competitions, both as a player and as a coach.

Born in Brest, France, Benkreira was a player and also a coach at club and national team level, where he coached the Algeria men’s junior national team. In 1995, he moved back to France, where he took over at Villeneuve-d’Ascq, before heading to Qatar, where he served as the men’s national team coach and the coach of club powerhouse Al-Sadd.

After his experience in Asia, Benkreira moved to Canada, where he became a physical education teacher at the University of Quebec in Montreal, but also served as the Canada men’s national team coach, leading the side at the third edition of the IHF Men’s World Championship the team played in, at Tunisia 2005.

On behalf of the IHF and the global handball family, IHF President Dr Hassan Moustafa would like to offer his deepest and sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Mohamed Benkreira and everyone who knew and worked with him.

Photo: Canadian Handball Federation