The International Handball Federation has learnt with profound sadness about the passing of the honorary President of the Finnish Handball Association, Henrik Vænerberg, at the age of 91 years old.

Vænerberg was one of the pioneers of handball in Finland, making a mark by helping founding the handball section of the GrIFK club, while also serving as a referee, the team leader of the delegations of Finland’s senior teams and on the board of the Finnish Handball Association between 1972 and 1990, as well as its chairman between 1978 and 1990.

After his retirement, he became the honorary President of the Finnish Handball Association, as well as the second Finn to become an honorary member of the International Handball Federation, in 2000.

“Henrik was interested in everything related to Finnish handball. He was a familiar sight at national matches together with his wife Maissi, his expert comments directly to the national team players and coaches always came right after the match,” said the Finnish Handball Association in a press release.

IHF President Dr Hassan Moustafa joins those mourning the loss of Henrik Vænerberg on behalf of the IHF and the global handball family and expresses his condolences and sympathy to his family and loved ones in this difficult time.