4. January 2009
15/1/2009
Moustafa: Croatia is for handball like Brazil for soccer
Last night the IHF president, Hassan Moustafa, came to Croatia. On behalf of the Croatian Handball Federation he was
greeted by the president Sandi Sola. I'm very pleased to welcome a good friend, who is one of the most responsible
persons, why Croatia got elected to organize such an important competition like World Championship and I'm glad Croatia
will host the IHF president in next two and a half week. Afterwards the IHF president, Hassan Moustafa, said a few words:
First of all I want to say I'm very happy to be in Croatia and this is not the first time I'm here. As a president of IHF I would
like to emphasize, that we believed from the start in people in Croatia and therefore we elected Croatia to be the host of
the biggest world handball event. In the meantime I realized how Croatia is a test for all of us. Since I was a player and then
a coach I learned a lot here in Croatia; in Split, Sibenik and Solaris. Croatia is for handball like Brazil for soccer. The president
Moustafa emphasized one more thing: I'm sure, I repeat, I'm positive this is going to be the best World Championship ever.
I'm sure because I see how Croatians like sport, especially handball. I'm very happy to be here in the next few days and I
want to thank the president of the Croatian Handball Federation and the Croatian Government for doing an enormous work
in order to organize such an important event. That is a reason why I constantly repeat how I believe that the Championship
in Croatia will be the best organized so far.
5. January 2009
16.1. 2009
The President of IHF, Hassan Moustafa, also welcomed all the present.
Good evening, Croatia, good evening, Split. I welcome the representatives of the Croatian government, as
well as the President of the CHF. I am very happy that I am here today at the opening of this great
competition, such as WC. On behalf of IHF I want to thank the Government of Croatia for all efforts that
were invested in the organization of such a great competition. Also, I thank the CHF and all those who
organized the World Championship and I am sure that this championship will be the best that was ever
organized. I invite all players, trainers, judges and officials to work for a better world handball. I am
convinced that the best team will win a gold medal at the WC, finished the President of the IHF, Hassan
Moustafa.
6. January 2009
16.1. 2009
The IHF president, Hassan Moustafa, was especially thrilled. We were together the whole time; he visited us
even today in our hotel. The president Moustafa accents all the time how impressed he is with the opening
ceremony, particularly when the visitors cheered him up. He experienced it as a personal acknowledgement
of his work as IHF president. He also emphasized how the handball advanced since he heads the
International Handball Federation, and he mentioned that Croatia took handball to a higher level. According
to him handball became one of the most popular world team sports.
8. January 2009
17/1/2009
In the half-time of the match between Sweden - Cuba, in the beautiful surroundings of the Spaladium Arena, president of
IHF, Dr. Hassan Moustafa, in gratitude to the city of Split and its citizens, gave to the Mayor of Split, Mr. Ivan Kuret, the
official ball of the IHF.
With this act, Hassan Moustafa wanted thank the Mayor of Split on the excellent organization and preparation for 21st
WHC for men. Mayor Ivan Kuret accepted with pleasure the recognition of President of International Handball Federation,
and after the presentation ceremony thanked his fellow citizens on the spontaneous and warm atmosphere, which they
prepared on the opening of the Championship. quot;It's the welcome and the atmosphere in Split that made Mr. Moustafa to do
this so I'm very proud because the citizens of Split always knew to recognize the best.quot;
Mr. Moustafa yesterday visited all the teams of B-group located in Split, and this way thanked in their name for the excellent
conditions and organization that was enabled for the preparation and trainings. Mr. Moustafa is still under the impression of
yesterday's opening ceremony, when the entire hall chanted Moustafa, Moustafa, answeeer, answeeer, that was beyond all
his expectations. He pointed out that the atmosphere that he experienced yesterday in Split is exactly what makes sport
unique.
9. January 2009
19/1/2009
The President of the WHF, Dr. Hassan Moustafa followed the matches on Sunday, in Porec. District-prefect of Istria- County,
Ivan Jakovcic and Mayor of Porec, Edi Stifanic, exchanged appropriate gifts with the president and with the WHF president,
who thanked them for the hospitality and wished success till the end of the Championship.
10. January 2009
1/2/2009
France - Croatia 24:19 (11:12)
‘Les Bleus' made it: France became World Champions for the third time after 1995 and 2001. At the end thrilling final that
was decided in the final stage of the match only, they sent hosts Croatia into despair. While the Frenchmen were celebrating
on the field the Croats' eyes filled with tears. They lost their second WCh final after 2005. The whole country had prepared
for the big party but France were predominant in the very end. They had been a tad better than Croatia considering the entire
tournament. The match was close until minute 52, as none of the two teams could break into the lead with more than one
goal. Tension built gradually. Two excellent set up defence formations left their mark on the match. France profited from
great keeper Thierry Omeyer, Daniel Narcisse (six goals) and Michael Guigou (10 goals) whereas Croatia's most striking
players were Blazenko Lackovic and Ivan Cupic (6 goals). With the score at 20:18 France broke into the lead on minute 52 to
a 2-goal margin for the first time. Croatia seemed lacking ideas and tried to force it. Narcisse' 21:18 goal was a first sign of
triumph, France burst into cheer at 23:19 and with 90 seconds to go. France was considered more resolute and more efficient.
Captain Jerome Fernandez was presented with the WCh trophy by IHF President Dr Hassan Moustafa with his teammates
cheering on the podium.
12. February 2009
18-21 /2/2009
The IHF president and the Egyptian Handball Federation’s president welcome the IHF
delegation to inspect the venue and preparation of the XXXII IHF congress which shall
be held in Egypt during the period 3-7 June 2009.
13. March 2009
22-27/3/2009
Mayor of Denver John Hickenlooper opens the Sportaccord conference, as the IOC Executive Board begins three days of
meetings. Tennis legend Andre Agassi and Dick Ebersol, chair of NBC Universal Sports & Olympics, are among the high
profile names taking part in sportaccord program. The former world number one, who has eight Grand Slams and an
Olympic gold to his name, is participating with tennis great Andrea Jaeger and several other speakers in a session on sport
and philanthropy
14. March 2009
22-27/3/2009
The IOC Executive Board et with the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations. At its general assembly
Tuesday, ASOIF’s 26 members unanimously approved a motion on the controversial issue of revenue-sharing concerning the
U.S. Olympic Committee that it will take to the EB. The motion would give the USOC quot;immediate notice of its intention to
terminate its contract with the USOC and to start negotiations .
15. March 2009
26/2-11/3/2009
27.2 meeting with the President of Polish Handball Federation
28.2 meeting with president of Italian Handball Federation
5.3 visiting Sportfive new headquarters
16. March 2009
11-15 /3/2009
The IHF president Dr.Hassan Moustafa visited Kuwait upon an invitation from Shiekh
Ahmed Al Fahad Al Sabah president of OCA and AHF. He attended three event during
this period:
1. Inauguration of the new headquarters of the Olympic Council of Asia
2. Opening the 1st Asian Sport congress
3. General Assembly of the Asian Handball Federation.
The three events attended by a VIP gathering included some of Ifs’ presidents, IOC
representatives and member national committees as well as member national
federations of Asia.
17. March 2009
28-31 /3/2009
The IHF president Dr.Hassan Moustafa headed from Denver to Basel for daily
business of the IHF including the preparation of the IHF congress. He visited the
Spanish Handball Federation on the 31st of March as a respond to invitation extended
by the President of the Spanish Handball Federation.
18. April 2009
2/4/2009
As part of their regular cooperation, the IHF and EHF held a joint meeting in Basle on 1 April 2009. Under the joint chairmanship of IHF
President Dr Hassan Moustafa and EHF President Tor Lian various issues were considered:
The global competition schedule, The challenge trophy, The alleged bribery cases
Concerning the last point, both IHF and EHF are very concerned that the accusations recently levelled at the referees are likely to
severely damage handball and contribute a severe set back for the positive evolution in the quality of refereeing observed as a
consequence of the education system set up for the referees.
• Training and admission of young referees from all four continents with help of a special programme named GRTP (Global Referee
Training Program). Aside from the ordinary Rules lessons, they are to identify and promote personality and a strong character.
• The appointment to the IHF Referee List is valid for one year, depending on the performance they show during the World
Championships
• Preparations of the elite referees for major tournaments (WChs or OGs) have been considerably improved over the last few years. A
one-week preparatory training course including match directions as part of a tournament is held six months prior to the event. Added to
this a 3-day so-called mini-course just prior to the WCh start. In order to cover these subjects, former coaches and psychologists joined
the pool of PRC experts in charge of referee education.
• In the run-up to each of these major events, the referees and the participating teams receive video tapes including questions
concerning the rules of the game, match situations and instructions for the ‘common line' all the referees are taught, in order to prepare
for the tournament. This cooperation and exchange of information creates transparency and confidence.
• The referee performance during IHF events is being analysed by referee observers with help of high-tech tools. This evaluation is
discussed with the referees the day after (transparency), serving as a preparation for the next match to come.
19. April 2009
2/4/2009
• The nomination procedure is clear and easy to understand for all parties involved:
a) As for the nomination of referees for a World Championship or Olympic Games, a proposal made by the PRC is approved by the Executive
Committee. b) As for the nomination of referees for the individual WCh matches, the proposal made by the PRC is approved by the
Competition Management. c) The daily nominations are released on the match day concerned in order to protect the referees from external
influence and possible pressure. This concept helped to cope with major changes within the pool of elite referees over a couple of years. The
youngest of all referee groups ever performed at the World Championship in Croatia, assuring the best evaluation carried out at highest level.
This is a positive approach the IHF will take a firm line on.
The IHF and EHF are also clearly aware that these accusations concern extremely different situations. The survey conducted has had to take
a total of six games under consideration out of a total of 4000 played over 4 seasons.
Whereas legal action is still pending in Germany concerning the 2007 Champions League Final, technical analysis has been conducted by
independent experts on the referees` performance. The result of this expertise is clearly that no advantages whatsoever were given by the
referees to any of the teams.
Concerning the allegation of prostitute offered to referees during the 2009 World Championship a strong denial has been issued by the
referees supposed to have produced the initial revelation. Their statement is confirmed by many witnesses who were invited in the same
restaurant at the same time.
Investigation is still pending concerning other four cases. Both IHF and EHF agree that in case the persons are found guilty, they must be
punished with the highest severity. Similarly, those wrongly accused must be defended and their accusers brought to court.
So as to implement this strategy both IHF and EHF will follow the working plan established by the EHF and already communicated to the
media. They will also seek legal advice so as to guarantee the protection of both federations and their officials.
20. April 2009
1-6 /4/2009
The IHF president Dr.Hassan Moustafa held several meetings during this period
among which meeting with the president of Bulgarian Handball federation
21. April 2009
7-12/4/2009
The President of the International Handball Federation, Dr Hassan Moustafa has paid
a visit in Africa respectively in Benin from 6 to 8 April 2009, in Gabon from 8 to 10
April 2009 and in Côte d’Ivoire from 10 to 11 April 2009.
In these three African Countries, the number one of the world handball was
accompanied by Dr Aremou Mansourou. During their sojourn, the local federations
have taken the occasion to present the situation of handball in their country and the
conditions in which this sport in practiced.
Visits of infrastructures, participation in competitions, meeting were at the program
of these different visits.
The President of IHF has promised to assist these federations in view of the
development of the African handball.
23. April 2009
26/4/2009
The official draw for the III Men's Youth World Championship was held today, on
Monday, at the Basle Head Office. The title contests will be staged from 20 to 31 July
2009 in Tunisia. COC member Philippe Bana carried out the draw in the presence of
IHF President Dr Hassan Moustafa and Tunisian representatives Messrs Mestiri (Vice-
President) and Ayari (National Technical Director).
