If you see more people than normal running, leaping in the air and firing what looks like a small football into what looks like a five a side soccer net this weekend, there is a reason.
The 12th European Handball Federation Congress takes place in the city this Friday and Saturday and will see over 100 delegates gathering from 51 national federations to set the scene for the years ahead.
It’s another great example of how Irish Sporting Governing Bodies can utilise Ireland’s excellent reputation and facilities as a business tourism leader and bring revenue into the country.
Last year the European Paralympic Congress took place here as well. The trend adds real economic benefit for the host city and additional reputation enhancement for Ireland on the global sporting radar.
We may never be in a position to host an Olympic Games or a FIFA World Cup but sport’s global advance has given rise to a multitude of events in both sporting and administrative circles that the country is very well equipped to stage.
The Handball Congress will reveal the host nations for the 2020 European Championships and vote on an extension in the number of participating teams from 16 to 24. Ireland’s players have been making progress over two years and built training links with leading clubs across the continent including Barcelona.
Qualification for 2020 might be optimistic but it is a growing sport with a strong footprint in schools and offers a good skills transfer programme from younger athletes who have grown up in a culture of gaelic football.
For a glimpse of why the sport is played by 10 million around Europe, watched by 500 million viewers around the world, and is different to the GAA Handball you might be more familiar with, take a look at this video from the European Handball Federation…
