Another IHF D Licence Coaching Course was successfully held in N'Djamena, Chad, from 5 to 10 March 2026, as part of the International Handball Federation's ongoing global coaching education programme. Led by IHF Multiplier William Antonio De Almeida, the course gathered 25 coaches, from across the country, with the goal of developing the sport at grassroots level.

The IHF has long placed coach education at the heart of its global development mission, as outlined in its Four-Year Plan, and this latest course in Central Africa confirms the Federation's unwavering promise to make quality handball education accessible to every corner of the world. True to the IHF's coaching education philosophy, the course in Chad was structured around the dual pillars of theoretical instruction and practical application, a balance that has proven effective across dozens of similar programmes delivered on every continent.

Over five intensive days of training, participants engaged with a wide-ranging curriculum designed to equip coaches with the foundational tools needed to develop players at every stage of their journey. Topics covered included the role and responsibilities of the handball coach, the simplification of the teaching and learning process, building an effective game model, individual tactics, goalkeeping basics, talent identification and development, defensive and offensive principles, counter-attack methodology, physical preparation for young players, refereeing rules, sports psychology, and the use of digital tools for modern coaching. The course was delivered in French, ensuring full and active engagement from all participants.

The practical sessions on the court were a particular highlight, with participants applying their theoretical knowledge in live training situations, facilitating a rich exchange of ideas and creating a strong sense of community among the local coaching network. Classroom discussions were equally dynamic, with De Almeida noting the exceptional enthusiasm and thirst for learning that characterised the group throughout the week.

Of the 25 participants, 22 successfully obtained their IHF D Licence, while three received a certificate of attendance. The Chadian coaches demonstrated impressive commitment throughout, with top scores in the final theoretical examination underlining the level of engagement with the course material.

In his course summary, IHF Multiplier William Antonio De Almeida captured the spirit of the week: "The course was characterised by an atmosphere of enthusiasm, active participation and a thirst for learning amongst all participants. The excellent local organisation, combined with the quality of the facilities, created the ideal conditions for a productive and rewarding coaching education experience."

The cooperation with the local organiser received the highest possible rating from the IHF Multiplier, with all aspects of preparation, from communication and travel arrangements to facilities and logistics, assessed as excellent. The course took place at a High-Performance Centre inaugurated in 2024, providing a modern and professional environment for both classroom sessions and on-court training.

The event was also marked by strong institutional support. The opening ceremony was attended by the President of the Chad Handball Federation, while the closing ceremony brought together the Federation President, the Director of the Ministry of Sport, the Vice-President, the Secretary-General and the Technical Director of the Chad Handball Federation.