The 2025 IHF Men’s and Women’s Youth Beach Handball World Championships has officially opened in Tunisia on Tuesday (17 June) after the opening ceremony, featuring a mix of modern and traditional dance and music, took place on the Hammamet coast.

Following seven men’s and seven women’s games in two sessions, the traditional formalities of getting an IHF World Championship started came on the central court ahead of the next two sessions of games on the opening day.

After the former entry of flags representing all 30 teams present in Tunisia – the Parade of Nations – the Tunisian national anthem was sung before performers entered the sand to put on a show for both young and old alike, including an Urban Dance show and a percussion troupe, ‘Centre Culturel Privé Tempo’ from Sfax, with traditional Tunisian drumming.

Then the official opening ceremony delegation, including IHF Beach Handball Working Group Chairperson Giampiero Masi, President of the Tunisian Handball Federation Karim Helali, Tunisia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Sadok Mourali and the Governor of Nabeul Governorate – where Hammamet is located – Hana Chouchani entered the court.

“Welcome to Tunisia, welcome to Hammamet,” said Helali to the packed crowd. “It's with a great pride and joy that I welcome you on behalf of Tunisia – a warm world of hospitality, thank you all the IHF and Dr Hassan Moustafa, thank you for all what you did for Tunisia. Thank you, for the Minister of Youth and Sport, for all your control of every, single thing and the Governor of Nabeul. I hope you enjoy your stay in the great Hammamet, in the great Tunisia.”

Next up was the Minister, Sadok Mourali. “It’s a great honour to welcome you all,” he said. “Under the supervision of the IHF and a joint organisation between the state institution and the Tunisian Handball Federation this hosting is a real testament for the confidence in our country, thank-you to every single person who helped in this organisation.”

Closing the speeches was Masi, who first got the whole crowd full of energy and passion as he organised a Mexican Wave throughout the stadium, before passing back to Helali and Mourali, who declared the championships open.