The Olympic Solidarity (OLSOL) initiative, a cornerstone partnership between the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Handball Federation (IHF), National Olympic Committees, and participating National Federations, continues to play a vital role in growing handball worldwide by fostering the education and development of coaches, especially in emerging regions.

Between 8 and 11 August 2025, the lakeside town of Salima in Malawi hosted a landmark OLSOL beach handball coaching course for beginners – the maiden for beach handball under the OLSOL initiative – underscoring the concerted effort to expand the sport in Africa. This inaugural course gathered 20 enthusiastic participants—comprising 5 women and 15 men—all united by their dedication to learn and enhance their beach handball coaching competencies.

Led by Wael Aly, the highly respected IHF Lecturer and Egypt’s national coach for both beach and wheelchair handball, the programme was meticulously designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical application. Over four intensive days, participants were immersed in a comprehensive curriculum covering the fundamentals of beach handball, including rules, tactical and technical skills, coaching methodologies, team and session management, and athlete development. 

Practical sessions were conducted outdoors on the shore, giving hands-on experience in skill drills, training exercises, and game scenarios, effectively bridging classroom comprehension with real-world coaching techniques.

Organized through the support of Olympic Solidarity funding and in close collaboration with the Malawi Handball Federation, the course epitomized an inclusive approach embracing gender equity and community involvement. The mixed-gender participancy reflected the IHF’s and Olympic Solidarity’s commitments to diversity and the promotion of women’s participation in handball coaching and sport leadership.

By the course’s conclusion, all participants were awarded the IHF coaching certification, marking a significant milestone in their professional development and enabling them to contribute confidently to the growth of beach handball at local and national levels in Malawi. Equipped with fresh coaching tools and methods, these newly qualified coaches are now well-positioned to engage young athletes, nurture grassroots teams, and elevate the sport’s profile.

By enhancing coaching standards in emerging countries, the IHF ensures that handball’s growth is inclusive, widespread, and aligned with Olympic values of excellence, fairness, and diversity.

Initiatives such as this serve as a beacon of progress, demonstrating how strategic education and international cooperation can unlock potential in the global handball community. The IHF remains committed to replicating such impactful programmes worldwide, fostering handball’s development and ensuring the sport reaches new audiences on every continent.