|
As expected IHF President Hassan Moustafa has been re-elected with more than 90 percent of all votes yesterday. The eagerly-awaited first day of the congress of the world handball governing body ended without change at the top, with a convincing win for the Egyptian who has led the federation since 2000. |
The re-election of the IHF President was one of the main topics on the agenda of the first day of the Congress. The first Vice-President Miguel Roca Mas from Spain and Treasurer Sandi Sola from Croatia will also retain their positions for the next four years period as the Congress voted for continuity.
The only new member in the executive committee is Czech representative Frantisek Taborsky. Rafael Sepulveda from Puerto Rico won the elections against the Russian Olympic Men’s Handball Champion Alexander Tutschkin (Sydney 2000), and was elected for the position as chairman of the Commission of Development (CD).
Dr Hassan said his main focus would be on development of handball in India, China and USA.
“I want to develop the game in the big countries like India and China. My aim is to promote and spread handball and to groom more talent. It’s a big challenge and need full support of the community,” said Dr Hassan, who will continue his office for the next four years.
Handball Federation of India’s general secretary SM Bali and vice president Anandeshwar Pandey, who were here to attend the congress said: “We congratulate Dr Hassan for his victory and promise full support to him in promoting the game in India.”
Earlier, HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, opened the meetings of the General Assembly of the International Handball Federation (IHF).
The opening session was attended by HE the Minister of Youth and Sports Salah bin Ghanim al-Ali, Sheikh Ahmed Fahd al-Ahmed al-Sabah the President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) who is also chairman of the Asian Olympic Council and Chairman of the Asian Handball Federation (AHF), secretary general of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) HE Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, President of IHF Dr. Hassan Moustafa and President of Qatar Handball Federation (QHF) Ahmad Mohammad al-Shaabi, in addition to IHF members and representatives of IHF’s member federations from the five continents.
HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, while addressing the opening session of the General Assembly, welcomed the guests in the State of Qatar, wishing them pleasant stay in Qatar. “I am pleased to be with you in this world sports gathering, which brings together the top level administrative and technical leaders of handball all over the world,” he said adding, “I would also like to convey to all of you the greetings of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and wishes to you for success.”
The second day of the congress will deal with the awarding of the upcoming Youth and Junior World Championships and will decide about the host of the 2015 Ordinary IHF Congress.