XXXVIII Ordinary Congress comes to an end

06 Nov. 2021

XXXVIII Ordinary Congress comes to an end

The XXXVIII Ordinary Congress of the IHF was held virtually on Saturday, 6 November, with a full agenda including the President’s Report and elections of various IHF positions.

IHF President Dr Hassan Moustafa welcomed all representatives of Member Federations with an address, underlining the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in the last two years, which transformed the world of handball.

“I would like to welcome and thank you for accepting our invitation today in this very important meeting. Unfortunately, we could not host this Congress in Turkey, due to the COVID-19 situation, for safeguarding your health,” said Dr Moustafa in his opening statement, before addressing several items regarding the agenda and underlining the importance of handball, through which “we are changing life, bringing joy to millions with our inspiring tournaments.”

Financial and auditor’s report underlines IHF growth

The formal proceedings began with the roll call of the IHF Members Federations, followed by the determination of the orderly convocation of Congress and the adoption of the minutes of the Extraordinary and Ordinary IHF Congress in Gothenburg, Sweden in July 2019.

The financial and auditor’s report was presented, which saw the International Handball Federation cementing its financial position despite the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected revenues throughout the world.

After the adoption of the financial and auditor’s report, the President’s report followed, underlining the growth sustained by the IHF in the past four years.

The next item of the agenda was the election of various IHF positions, with Dr Hassan Moustafa running unopposed for President, securing a new four-year mandate.

The IHF 1st Vice-President, two IHF Executive Committee Members, the IHF Treasurer and several Chairpersons of different Committees were elected.

“We are now ready for the next challenging era of handball. It has been my goal and my duty to improve handball and making it more stable, more transparent and more accountable.

“Handball does not discriminate. And we must go together as one, to show the trust of the world. We need to do this together,” said Dr Moustafa.

Motions cleared by the IHF Congress

After the elections were held, two motions from the IHF President and the IHF Council were presented to the Congress.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still wreaking havoc, a new motion was adopted, with any IHF body being now able to hold meetings and take decisions via teleconference, videoconference or any other appropriate electronic means.

A new four-year plan was also presented by Dr Hassan Moustafa regarding the future of handball, underlining the new rules and regulations already approved by the IHF Council, ready to improve the game and build a new future of the sport. 

“The handball family is the foundation of our sport. Without it, we would struggle – but together, we can achieve anything. I look forward to seeing this family unite under the common goals outlined in the Four-Year Plan to make handball more exciting, inclusive and engaging for generations to come,” added Dr Moustafa.

The IHF budget for 2022 and 2023 was also voted on, brought forward with an overwhelming majority.

Awardings and honours

Towards the end of the IHF Congress, the President’s Development Awards were presented to the Czech Handball Federation, in the category of developed handball nations, and the Columbian Handball Federation, in the category of emerging nations.

Furthermore, Manfred Prause (posthumously), Evgeny Trefilov and Prof. Dr Hosny Ahmed Abdelrahman were honoured in recognition for their untiring commitment for the sport of handball at national and international level.  

Poland hosts next IHF Congress

The next IHF Congress will now take place in 2023, in Katowice, Poland, as the Polish Handball Federation was the only Member Federation to submit their application to host the XXXIX Ordinary IHF Congress.

Poland will also be one of the hosts of the 28th IHF Men’s World Championship in January 2023, alongside Sweden.