From 27 to 29 July, the ‘IHF Beach Handball Showcase’ will take place on the fringes of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Three men’s and three women’s All-star Teams, plus the French men’s and women’s national teams will play Beach Handball games across three days coached by six world-renowned, medal-laden coaches.

In total, 64 (32 men, 32 women) of the world’s best Beach Handball players from 18 countries will feature, including players from Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Islamic Republic of Iran, Netherlands, Norway, People’s Republic of China, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Spain, United States of America and Uruguay.

In a special series of question and answers, IHF.info hears from players and coaches selected for the showcase. This time, it is former Hungary coach and current IHF Beach Handball Working Group Member, Tamas Neukum, one of the coaches at the event in Paris.

IHF.info: How do you feel to be selected for this event?

Tamas Neukum: It is an unbelievably great honour to participate in the event and to be part of the world selection teams again, after the first one back in Lausanne in 2015 and now the second time in the history.

IHF.info: Why is the IHF Beach Handball Showcase important for Beach Handball?

Tamas Neukum: So far, Beach Handball has debuted anytime, anywhere. It has always got great acclaim. I'm sure it will be no different this time, so it's important that we present our marvellous sport at the Olympics.

IHF.info: What has been your biggest success in Beach Handball as a coach?

Tamas Neukum: A silver medal at The World Games 2005 with Hungary’s women’s team in Duisburg, Germany and two golds in 2009 with the Italian women’s team at the European Championship and The World Games.

IHF.info: What do you love about Beach Handball? / How does Beach Handball make you feel?

Tamas Neukum: It’s a wonderful game with constant excitement and constant creative ideas. It makes you think without pause, its spectacle and playfulness fascinate me. Top of it all is the Fair Play.

IHF.info: What are your hopes for the future of Beach Handball and the Olympic Games?

Tamas Neukum: I am sure that in the future it will earn its rightful place in the world and will be one of the most popular events of the Olympics.

IHF.info: What would you say to anyone who has never played or watched Beach Handball and is thinking of getting involved with the sport?

Tamas Neukum: You can try it without risk. The most amazing legal drug in the world is Beach Handball. Once you taste Beach Handball, you can never give up on it. It has been a part of my life for 25 years, I have got a lot of happiness, success, knowledge, experience and friendship from Beach Handball.

The IHF Beach Handball Showcase is a collaborative effort between the IHF, Paris 2024 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (COJOP2024), French Handball Federation (FFHB) and International Olympic Committee (IOC).