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Historical Universiade Entry for Handball

FISU 9 July 2015

 

 

GWANGJU – “This is a big premiere for University Handball and we truly appreciate it. As handball is an optional sport, we have been through some bad luck in the past,” says the FISU Technical Delegate for Handball Mr. František Táborský. The attendance of Handball at the 25th Summer Universiade in Belgrade was cancelled three months before the games started together with five other sports. Two years later, Kazan was not able to provide enough venues. This sport never had a chance at the University Games until this year’s 28th Summer Universiade in Gwangju. There are 13 teams for the men’s handball and 12 women’s teams and this large attendance confirms the worldwide desire this sport has to be a part of the Universiade itself.

“I am excited for Handball to be a part of this event. It is a chance to show that it really belongs to the Universiade,” adds Monika Hagen, the technical delegate of the International Handball Federation (IHF). “The favourites of this tournament would be, concerning the recent results, the Korean women’s team. For the men, the battle goes between Korea and Russia.”

There are two handball referees from the Ivory Coast proving how important this Universiade is for the handball world. “We had a layover in Addis Ababa Airport. However, our first flight was delayed and we didn’t make it. We got stuck in the airport for three days, sleeping on a bench and waiting for the next flight available,” explains one of the referees: “But we finally made it and we are thrilled to be a part of this Summer Universiade.”


Lucie Hrdličková (CZE), FISU Young Reporter