IHF President Dr Hassan Moustafa (second from left) and Qatar Handball Association general secretary Mohamed Jaber al-Mulla (right) with IHF officials during a press conference at the Al Gharafa Indoor Hall here yesterday. PICTURE: Anas Khalid
International Handball Federation (IHF) president Dr Hassan Moustafa yesterday said that the preparations for the 2015 Men’s Handball World Championships in Qatar are progressing as scheduled.
Addressing a press conference here on the rest day of the 2013 IHF Super Globe competition he said, “We’ve still 18 months to go for the event and we’re happy with the smooth functioning of the organising committee and hoping for a big success of the event.
“We are going to meet some of the Qatar Olympic Committee Qatar Handball Federation officials tomorrow regarding the preparation of the championship,” he said.
“If all the preparations finish six months before the planned date we may go for a test event before the main competition,” he added.
Commenting on the success of Super Globe, the competition of champion clubs from continental federations, Moustafa said, “It is a big success and had made a big difference in the Qatar team’s performance. I am pleased to see the Super Globe has helped Qatar develop in many ways as a handball nation.”
Dr Moustafa also said the number of participants in the qualification rounds for the Super Globe has been increased in the Pan America region. The world body has already extended its contract with the Al Sadd Sports Club for the organisation of the Super Globe until 2014.
Discussing development of the game in the Asia, he said, “We made a road map for the region six years ago and it has produced superb results in China, India, Bangladesh and Korea. IHF Trophy in India was a great success.”
Qatar Handball Association (QHA) secretary general Mohamed Jaber al-Mulla, who was also present at the press conference, said, “I hope the 2015 championship would mark a big leap in terms of organisation of the game. The preparations are going smoothly to host the prestigious event.”
He added: “We are on schedule and hope that everybody will be pleased with our efforts.”
This is the first time that the Handball World Championships will be hosted in the Middle East.
The World Championships will be played across four venues — Lusail Multi-Purpose Hall, the Al-Sadd Multi-Purpose Hall, theLekhwiya Multi-Purpose Hall (Qatar handball Dome) and a temporary converted part of the Aspire Dome football stadium. The three Multi-Purpose halls are currently being built.