In January, the handball world will look to Egypt. For the first time since 2005 (Tunisia), the Men’s World Championship is back on the African continent. However, the continent has much more to offer when it comes to handball, such as the Play Handball (PH) project. And even though South Africa as well as Kenya, where PH is mainly active, are affected by Corona, the topic of handball is not forgotten here. Completely in the sense of distance regulations, PH’s work is also currently taking place digitally.

From 8th to 10th December the PlayHandball Online Talk – “Handball without Borders” will take place for the first time. In three rounds of talks over three days (each at 12 noon, German time), guests from Africa and Europe who are active and involved in handball will talk and exchange views, discuss and get ideas and pass on experiences.

The guest list is impressive. The following have confirmed their attendance: Dominik Klein (2007 World Champion, Bavarian Handball Association), Adam Lönn (Bundesliga player from TVB Stuttgart), Viktor Glatthard (handball player in Norway for Haslum HK, co-founder of the Learn-Handball-App in Germany, Austria and Switzerland), Ally Pole (President of the South African Handball Federation), Leif Johnsen (Teacher/ Coach at ISI IKAST – Handball Academy, Denmark) and Victor Siero (Coach of the Kenya Youth National Team), Eddie Chiroodza (Zimbabwe Handball Federation, Secretary General) and Kuda Chizema (Western Province Handball Association (SA), Secretary General). “As part of its “Blue Bridge” social initiative, TVB Stuttgart has decided to support “Play Handball” in Africa, so we are also delighted that one of our players will be taking part in this talks,” said Saskia Kasper from TVB.

The aim is to start a conversation about handball across borders; to highlight differences and similarities in the development of handball in the different regions, to generate ideas, create transparency, provide information and raise awareness of handball worldwide. In October, PH held online workshops for the first time with participants from four different African countries.  The workshops showed a great interest in such an exchange. Building on this, PH would now like to hold these talks and start a dialogue across borders. “The aim is not always to report only from the perspective of the Global North, but to listen to the approaches and situations in the Global South and to seek an exchange and dialogue at eye level in order to create more knowledge and transparency,” says Nicola Scholl from PH, who will moderate with her team the talks.

Invited are all interested parties, the entire network of Play Handball, clubs, associations, fans, etc. The participation is free of charge. The talks in English will be held on the online platform Zoom. Registrations (RSVP) to projects@play-handball.org or over this link: https://forms.gle/N32SseJJEFVrWncE6.

In the respective evening the rounds of talks can be seen from 7pm (UTC) on Youtube on PlayHandball1 with German subtitles.  Link to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/playhandball1.

Participation is completely free, but PlayHandballl is happy to receive donations for the implementation of online training programs for young coaches in Africa, which is scheduled to start in 2021.

Donation account: Play Handball, Landessparkasse zu Oldenburg (LZO), IBAN: DE45 2805 0100 0090 9883 46, BIC: SLZODE22XXX or for South African Account more information on www.play-handball.org/help.

PROGRAMME

1. Tuesday, 8 Dec, 1pm (UCT+2), Handball training and leagues in times of Covid-19 – This talk will focus on challenges faced by clubs and federations, with regards to covid-19 protocols affecting sports and the future of handball tournaments and leagues
   Guests:

1. • Adam Lönn, German Bundesliga player at TVB Stuttgart
   • Kuda Chizema, Western Province Handball Association (WPHA) Secretary General, South Africa
   • Grace Madegwa, former national player and assistance youth national coach from Kenya
   • Percyledge Samugadza, Sports and Recreation Commission Zimbabwe

2. Wednesday, 9 Dec, 1pm (UCT+2): Handball in School – from boarding school to afternoon programmes – This talk will give an update on how handball has been affected in schools and organisations focusing on afternoon programmes, and what the way forward is.

Guests:

1. • Leif Johnsen, Teacher/ Coach at ISI IKAST – Handball Academy, Denmark
   • Ally Pole, South African Handball Federation, President
   • Eddie Chiroodza, Zimbabwen Handball Federation, Secretary General

3. Thursday, 10 Dec, 1pm (UCT+2): Digital Solutions for Handball Development – This talk will focus on suggested methods for continuation of sports using technology and other digital solutions. It will be a platform to share what the different regions are doing to keep up with sports in today’s context and how digital will support future development of handball.
   Guests:

1. • Viktor Glatthard, Handball Player in Norway at Haslum HK, Co-founder of Learn-Handball-App (D/AU/CH)
   • Victor Siero, Coach of the Kenya Youth National Team
   • Dominik Klein, Bavaria Handball Federation (BHV)

Text: Ruwen Möller