International Handball Federation

handball

The International Handball Federation (IHF) is the administrative and controlling body for handball worldwide. IHF is responsible for the organisation of handball's major international tournaments.

Sport

Handball

Founded

1946 (78 years ago)

Headquarters

Basel, Switzerland

Affiliations

International Olympic Committee

Summary

The International Handball Federation (IHF) is the global governing body for the sport of handball, including beach handball and wheelchair handball. It was founded on 12 July 1946 in Copenhagen, Denmark, by representatives of eight national federations. Its current headquarters are in Basel, Switzerland. The IHF oversees the organisation and administration of major international handball competitions, including the IHF World Men’s Handball Championship, which began in 1938, and the IHF World Women’s Handball Championship, which started in 1957.

The IHF has 209 national member federations, which are part of six continental confederations: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and the Caribbean, Oceania, and South and Central America. Each member federation is also a member of one of these regional confederations. The IHF is affiliated with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), with handball being featured in the Summer Olympics since the 1972 Munich Games (men’s) and the 1976 Montreal Games (women’s).

The structure of the IHF includes the IHF Congress, which is its supreme decision-making body, meeting every two years after the IHF Men’s World Championship. The Congress consists of representatives from each member federation, each having one vote. The Congress is responsible for approving changes to the IHF’s governing statutes, and electing the IHF President, General Secretary, and Council members. The IHF Council, chaired by the President, handles the organisation's daily affairs between Congress meetings and is responsible for major decisions like selecting host countries for the World Championships.

The IHF’s current President is Hassan Moustafa from Egypt, who has held the position since 2000. The IHF also has a range of commissions to support different aspects of the sport, including development, coaching, and refereeing. The IHF conducts courses to develop handball worldwide, such as coaching courses and referee education programs.

The IHF organises several major tournaments for men, women, juniors, and youth teams, as well as club and beach handball events. Its events include the IHF Men’s and Women’s World Championships, the IHF Super Globe (club competition), and the IHF Beach Handball World Championships. It is also working to promote wheelchair handball globally, aiming to make it part of the Paralympic Games.

Disciplines

The International Handball Federation (IHF) oversees three main disciplines: Handball, Beach Handball, and Wheelchair Handball. Each discipline has its own rules and formats, and the IHF organises international competitions for each of them.

1. Handball

Traditional handball is played indoors with two teams of seven players each (six outfield players and one goalkeeper). The objective is to score goals by throwing the ball into the opponent's goal. The match consists of two halves of 30 minutes each, and the team with the most goals at the end wins.
The IHF organises various international competitions for handball, including the IHF World Men's Handball Championship, the IHF World Women's Handball Championship, and youth and junior championships. Handball has also been a part of the Summer Olympic Games since 1972 (men’s) and 1976 (women’s).

2. Beach Handball

Beach handball is a variant of traditional handball, played on sand with teams of four players (including the goalkeeper). It is known for its fast-paced and dynamic scoring system, where teams earn points for creative goals such as in-flight or 360-degree shots.
Beach handball is typically played over two sets, and if both teams win one set each, the game is decided by a shootout. The IHF organises the IHF Beach Handball World Championships, along with junior and youth tournaments. It is also featured in events like the World Beach Games and the Youth Olympic Games.

3. Wheelchair Handball

Wheelchair handball was introduced to make the sport accessible to players with physical disabilities. The IHF supports two formats: four-a-side and six-a-side wheelchair handball. Each game follows similar rules to traditional handball but is adapted for wheelchair players.
The IHF aims to develop wheelchair handball worldwide and is working towards making it a part of the Paralympic Games. The IHF organises the Wheelchair Handball World Championships, and different countries are encouraged to participate in international wheelchair handball competitions.

Membership

The International Handball Federation (IHF) has a broad membership base that includes national handball federations from around the world. Each member federation plays a key role in the global development of handball, adhering to the rules and standards set by the IHF.

Membership Structure

The IHF currently has 209 member federations. Each member is part of one of the six continental confederations: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and the Caribbean, Oceania, and South and Central America.
Every national federation must be affiliated with one of these confederations, which organises regional competitions and works with the IHF to promote the sport at a continental level.

Membership Rights and Responsibilities

Each member federation has the right to participate in IHF events and competitions, including the World Championships and other international tournaments.
Members are required to follow the IHF's rules and regulations, including those related to governance, discipline, and player eligibility.
Each federation has one vote in the IHF Congress, regardless of the size of the country or its handball development. The Congress is the highest decision-making body in the IHF and meets every two years.

Categories of Membership

Active Members: These are fully functioning national federations that regularly participate in IHF and continental events.
Associated Members: Some territories and regions may hold associated membership status, such as England, French Polynesia, and Scotland. These members have different rights from active members but are part of the IHF network.
Non-active Members: Some countries, due to various reasons, may have federations that are not actively participating in IHF events. These federations are still listed as members but are marked as non-active.

Continental Confederations

Each continental confederation is responsible for organising regional competitions, such as the African Handball Championship or the European Handball Championship. These confederations work closely with the IHF to ensure the smooth operation of handball in their regions.

References