The Egyptian Olympic Committee (EOC) has awarded IHF President Dr Hassan Moustafa with the title of ‘Lifetime Honorary President of the EOC’.
 
The award and title is in recognition of the “…important role he has played in the Olympic Movement in Egypt as well as his long sports career including his devotion to serving his country, Egypt, and, afterwards, the International Handball Federation (IHF) and its members,” according to a letter from the President of the EOC Hisham Hatab to International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Dr Thomas Bach.
 
“This well-deserved honour recognises your many decades of commitment and contribution to sport and the Olympic Movement in your country and beyond,” said Dr Bach to Dr Moustafa in a letter sent last week. “Thank you also for everything you are doing as President of the International Handball Federation to promote the practice of sport worldwide.”
 
Dr Moustafa was honoured at a ceremony in Egypt in March which featured many sporting personalities and public figures.
 
“The honour is a message of thanks to Hassan Moustafa for his efforts during his life that he devoted to sport,” added Hatab to local media. “This resulted in successful contributions to sport in Egypt in particular and in the world in general."
 
In Egypt, Dr Moustafa played for Al-Ahly SC for 11 years and the national team for 10 years. After finishing his playing career, he worked for 10 years as coach for Al-Ahly and the Egyptian men’s national team, as well as refereeing at both levels, national and international.
 
He was President of the Egyptian Handball Federation from 1984 to 1992 and 1996 to 2008 and was a member and then Secretary General of the Egyptian Olympic Committee from 1985 to 2000. He also appeared as a representative of the Olympic Movement in Egypt as President of the Tripartite Commission and as an expert in the Egyptian Supreme Council for Youth and Sport.
 
In addition to his roles in Egypt, Dr Moustafa was president of the Mediterranean Handball Confederation from 1999 to 2003, 1st Vice-President of the Arab Handball Federation from 1992 to 2000 and Association of Summer Olympic International Federations Council Member (2005 to 2014) and Vice-President (2014 to 2015).
 
In 1992, he became President of the IHF Commission of Coaching and Methods and Council Member until 2000 when he was elected IHF President.
 
The full text of the letter addressed to the President of the IOC, Dr Thomas Bach, from the President of the EOC Hisham Hatab is as follows:
 
“The Egyptian Olympic Committee and its members wish you and the IOC health and safety.
 
“The EOC would like to inform you about the commemorative ceremony for Dr Hassan Moustafa on 4 March 2020 as a gesture of gratitude and recognition of the important role he has played in the Olympic Movement in Egypt as well as his long sports career including his devotion to serving his country Egypt and afterwards the International Handball Federation (IHF) and its members.
 
“The EOC awarded Dr Moustafa – IHF President and former EOC Secretary General – lifetime honorary president of the EOC.
 
“The commemoration served as a message of thanks to Dr Moustafa for the efforts he has exerted throughout his life dedicated to sports, resulting in successful contributions to sport in Egypt in particular and worldwide in general.”
 
The full text of the letter from Dr Thomas Bach to Dr Hassan Moustafa reads as follows:
 
“Dear Friend, all my warmest congratulations on having been named Lifetime Honorary President of the Egyptian Olympic Committee.
 
“This well-deserved honour recognises your many decades of commitment and contribution to sport and the Olympic Movement in your country and beyond.
 
“Thank you also for everything you are doing as President of the International Handball Federation to promote the practice of sport worldwide.
 
“Once again, all my sincere congratulations and I look very much forward to the moment when we can see each other again in person.
 
“Until then, I remain, with warm regards.”