In its long history,Ancient Egypt was ruled by 232 Pharaohs. Handball has one Pharaohand his tenure is unmatched!

Dr Hassan Moustafatook the reins of the International Handball Federation on November 26, 2000, when he won the elections held in Estoril, Portugal, and he was re-elected in 2004, 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2021!

"I have dedicated my whole life to handball. I’ve been a player, a coach, a referee and the president of the Egyptian federation, so I cannot imagine myself away from handball."

He goes on to explain his modus lavorandi: "I am nota president who sees himself above all. I'm more like a handball and a sports fan.

 

"When I’ll leave at some point, I would like to be remembered for what I have achieved and not for holding this position", explains the 78-year-old Egyptian president, who remembers that the first “throw-off” of his (long) tenure was similar to a tough handball game!

"At that time, I had to deal with almost all Europeans, whoweren’t ready to accept an African president. But that’s history".

Dr Moustafaarrived in Heraklion yesterday (June 21), and he feels more than happy watching what is happening in Karteros.

"Everything here is great: the facilities, the level of play, but above all the people. Now I see them with my own eyes.

 

“Many thanks to the Deputy Minister of Sports LefterisAvgenakis, the Organising Committee, the President of the Hellenic Federation, Costas Gkantis and all those who give their best so that the World Championship will be a successful event.

“I am very happy because, among other things, a state-of-the-art beach sports centre has been built that will turn Heraklioninto a sports hub - a lasting legacy for Crete”.

On June 21, beach handball celebrated its 30th anniversary. The IHF president feelsoverwhelmedwith the progress of the sport and desires to see itbecoming even more popular.

"Beach handball is a fast-spreading sport, it’s exciting, spectacular has a very fast pace, it is eye-catching. Currently is being played in 150 of the 209 IHF affiliated members. In fact, there are countries that do not enjoy success in indoor handball, but are considered among the beach handball superpowers".

Speaking about the future of the sport, the IHF President adds:

"My life motto is that"nothing really ends, we must always search for a new beginning ". Even when you think you are atop, you must aim higher.

 

"I hope that the next new beginning for beach handball will be its inclusion in the Olympic programme, a prospect for which there is a positive mood on the part of the IOC and personally of President Thomas Bach".

Beach handball is a palace in the sand, but with strong foundations!

"There is an ongoing conversation about the sport within the beach handball family and our eyes are set on the future. A possible inclusion of the sport at the Olympic Games will take the sport off!

 

“Four years ago, when beach handball was played at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, you could see long queues outside Sarmiento Parque. The organisers were forced to close the entrance because the stands were filled to capacity.

 

“President Bach passed by to have a look, but he was ecstatic with the spectacle and stayed with us for two hours! It was then when everyone realized the dynamics and the prospect of beach handball."

Handball, once rankedlower than football, basketball and volleyball, now stands on the same ground, if not higher, when compared with the other popular team sports.

"At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, handball was the second in attendance team sport after football, which is a kind of religion in Brazil. The recent (June 18-19) EHF Champions League Final in Cologne, was a sold-out event. Handball is one of the most popular sports in many countries".

This upward trend requires changes at all levels…

"Every day we try to develop handball, to make it more modern and more attractive, by adopting new regulations or with other innovations.

 

“I will use as an example the newtechnology balls that will be in effect in six months from now andwill be mandatory all over the world. It will result in the removal of the glue that is used for a better grip.

"This is a revolutionary change that will facilitate the access of the sport to every indoor hall and will significantly affect the gameplay and the sport," explains the IHF president.

Having devoted his whole life to handball, Dr Moustafahas met most of the sports’ star players.

Who does he admire most?

"Without further thought, I will mention Jackson Richardson, Nikola Karabatic, TalantDujshebaev, Magnus Wislander and IvanoBalic. I am sure there are plenty more which I cannot recall at the moment who have left a strong mark in handball."