The IHF development programme in Saudi Arabia continued with more children’s handball activities in Dammam in January, which involved further education of the multipliers identified to expand handball knowledge in the country and a second Handball at School course. The long-term project was introduced with the goal of general handball development in Saudia Arabia, with a key target of educating local lecturers who can then lead courses in the country. It is the first programme of this nature organised by the IHF and involves the cooperation of several bodies, including the Commission of Coaching and Methods. 

48 attendees earned their D Licence at the first H@S course held last May, which was a milestone event in Saudi Arabia as it was the first of its kind in team sports to welcome both men and women as participants. After five women took part in the first course, seven women participated in the January H@S course. The long-term programme therefore finds its place as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 — a nationwide plan including the goal of social and lifestyle changes which acknowledges the limitations for playing sports in Saudi Arabia and aims to encourage widespread participation. 

The project in Saudi Arabia has been led by IHF Lecturers Dr Ilona Hapkova, Chairwoman of the IHF Handball at School Working Group, and Dr Nabeel Taha Al Shehab, Handball at School Working Group member. Both were on site in Dammam in January, as another 15 participants earned their D Licence in the H@S course. The January education also saw five successful multipliers receive certificates, following the completion of 90 teaching units. 

Since the opening to their IHF education last April, the multipliers have undertaken significant work on the ground in Saudi Arabia. Overseen by Dr Hapkova and Dr Al Shehab, the multipliers visited schools and local clubs to promote handball and collaborate with coaches and teachers, among other tasks that assisted in furthering the development of the IHF programme. 

Following the courses on site in May, the multipliers participated in a webinar in September, where feedback on the work undertaken was given and other topics such as challenges specific to the work in Saudi Arabia and introducing handball in different regions were discussed. Further theoretical and practical subjects were also considered. 

“Part of their task was supervising and helping PE teachers and coaches who passed the H@S Level D course in May 2022, to create networks and see the real situation in schools in Saudi Arabia. The multipliers also detected several key chellenges,” says Dr Hapkova. Based on the findings of the multipliers, new curriculum materials will be prepared for handball education in schools. The multipliers also took part in the H@S course in Dammam in January, as it will be their future task to run such courses themselves. The overall goal is for 2,400 PE teachers in Saudi Arabia to complete their handball education over the next four years. 

More than 100 children aged between 10 and 18 were involved in the January course, taking part in the practical sessions, which included the training for the D Licence candidates and multipliers and a mini tournament. Approximately 60 of the children aged 10 to 12 were playing handball for the first time.  

The course in Dammam was run in cooperation with several local bodies, including the Ministry of Schools, the Saudi Arabian Handball Federation, the Ministry of Sports and the Health Programme 2030.  

Learn more about the IHF H@S programme, including how to submit an application for participation, here.

Photo: Handball Federation Saudi Arabia