38 male coaches took part in the IHF D Licence course in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which took place between 27 and 31 October 2024 at the Saudi Arabian Handball Federation premises.

The course was led by Dr Khaled Alsharji, IHF CCM Lecturer, and contained several intermediate to advanced handball and sport science topics, such as tactical and technical elements of handball, talent identification in handball, priciples of training and periodisation of strength training for youth and junior handball players, sport psychology and leadership skills for handball coaches or trends in modern handball.

As with all IHF coaching courses, the programme included both theoretical and practical components, with the participants being assessed to determine whether or not they are qualified to receive their certificate. At the end of the course, all participants received their D Licence.

Each day started with a practical session, which saw each coach have a 10-minute stint to lead the training, while the other coaches wrote an evaluation of what happened on the court. 

The course also included group discussions, the perfecting of training methods to enhance individual handball skills, the improvement of tools for effective coaching, theoretical lessons for coaching philosophy as well as the assesment and measurement of handball skills and fitness for young players.

Dr Alsharji noted that due to the fact that most participants have been involved in coaching for many years, the level of the discussions and traning sessions was high and the coaches who were awarded the D licence have a good level of knowledge in handball.

All 38 participants received their certificate at the end of the coaching course in Saudi Arabia.