The International Handball Federation has long placed coach education at the heart of its global development mission, and its reach across the African continent took another significant step forward with the delivery of an Olympic Solidarity Level 1 and Level 2 coaching courses in Niger, led by IHF CCM Lecturer Mohamed Khaled Hammouda, which took place between 28 December 2025 and 8 January 2026. 

The course brought together a dedicated group of local coaches committed to advancing their technical and tactical expertise, underlining the IHF's unwavering promise to make quality coaching education accessible to every corner of the handball world.

True to the IHF's coaching education philosophy, the course in Niger was structured around the dual pillars of theoretical instruction and practical application, a balance that has proven effective across dozens of similar courses delivered on every continent. Participants engaged with a comprehensive curriculum covering the fundamental principles of handball coaching, individual and collective tactical concepts, goalkeeping fundamentals, offensive and defensive game principles, and the psychological aspects of working with young athletes. The course was delivered in French, ensuring that all participants could engage fully with the material.

The cooperation with the local organiser was a particular highlight of the event. As Mohamed Khaled Hammouda noted in his report, the collaboration was extremely professional throughout, which enabled the course to run smoothly and gave every participant the environment and resources needed to perform at their best. 

The practical element was equally rigorous. Each day, participants were given the opportunity to lead coaching sessions on the court, translating theoretical knowledge into hands-on practice under Hammouda's supervision.

Mohamed Khaled Hammouda captured the spirit of the course directly in his impressions report: "The course took place in a very good atmosphere. The participants were very motivated and showed a great desire to learn and improve their coaching skills. The level of the group was satisfactory, and the practical sessions were conducted with enthusiasm and seriousness. This course will certainly contribute to the development of handball in Niger."

58 coaches took part in the two courses, with 21 earning the D Licence, and 18 earning the C Licence, underlining the commitment of the IHF to educate coaches in order to improve handball throughout the Globe.

The Niger course is the latest in a growing series of IHF Olympic Solidarity coaching education programmes delivered across Africa and beyond. From Buenos Aires to Lima, from Niger to beyond, the IHF's coaching education network continues to expand, equipping coaches at every level with the handball and sport science knowledge needed to develop players and elevate the quality of the game in their communities for years to come.