The race for the IHF presidency is heating up. After more than two decades under Hassan Moustafa’s leadership, several voices are calling for change at the top of world handball. The latest candidate to step forward is Franjo Bobinac, the former long-time president of Gorenje and current EHF Executive Committee member.
In this exclusive interview with GoHandball, Bobinac shares his motivations, his vision for a more global and transparent IHF, and why he believes handball is at a crossroads in its Olympic future.
A couple of weeks ago, GoHandball brought you the first in-depth interview (outside of Germany) with Gerd Butzeck following his announcement to run for the IHF presidency. His candidacy opened the race and set the tone for a discussion about the future direction of international handball.
Now, we are proud to follow up with another exclusive. This time we sat down with Franjo Bobinac, who has officially entered the race.
Bobinac grew up in Celje, one of Europe’s true handball cities, where the sport was ever-present from his earliest years. His professional career later took him to Gorenje, where he rose through the ranks to become CEO. Under his leadership, the company became one of Slovenia’s most significant sponsors of sport, with handball at the forefront. Gorenje partnered with Slovenian clubs, the national federation, and also the EHF.
He also served as president of Gorenje Velenje, guiding the club to national championships, and played an important role in European competitions as a sponsor and partner of the EHF Champions League and European Championships. On the international stage, he joined the EHF Executive Committee four years ago and has chaired its sustainability board for the past two years.
Handball has also been a part of his private life. As stepfather to Slovenian international Ana Gros, he has spent countless hours traveling to matches and training sessions, living the sport not just as an administrator but as family.
You announced your candidacy quite late. Why now?
– During the last couple of weeks, I was preparing my Manifesto and talked to numerous stakeholders who approached me with the proposal to step forward and to lead the necessary changes in our sport on the international level. I have a strong team around me, and we are reaching out to national federations across all continents. I’m about to share my manifesto and promotional material with every member nation. The truth is: handball is at a crossroads. In the past 30 years, the sport has grown a lot, especially in Europe. But compared to other team sports, our global progress has been too slow. We face a real risk of losing Olympic status in the future – Los Angeles will already introduce five new sports, and we don’t know what will happen after Brisbane, Bobinac says.
– My vision is clear: handball must become a truly global sport, with a much stronger voice in the Olympic movement. I believe I am well positioned to achieve that, having served as president of the Slovenian Olympic Committee and also with an important role inside of the European Olympic Committees and the IOC.
What is your personal motivation to run for IHF president?
– I feel a passion to create and to lead change. Throughout my business and sports career, I’ve always been someone who reorganises, renews, implements strategies, and drives development. I want to be a catalyst for necessary change in international handball.
– Communication is central to me – connecting people, listening, and then acting. In business I learned that execution is everything. We often know what needs to be done; the difference is whether we actually deliver it. That is what I want to bring to the IHF.
Slovenia is a small country with big handball traditions. How has that shaped your vision?
– We are only two million people, but we have achieved a lot – a European silver medal in 2004, third place at the World Championship in 2007, and fourth place at the Olympics in 2024. In Paris, both our men’s and women’s teams qualified. That’s remarkable.
– Coming from a smaller nation gives me a special perspective. It makes you understand the importance of cooperation, of working together across different cultures and regions. I speak several languages and I’ve always been international in my outlook. That multicultural background helps me connect with federations around the world.
You have presented six key pillars in your program. Can you highlight them?
– Yes, these are the priorities I believe the IHF must focus on:
- Reinvesting funds: At least 30 percent of IHF revenues should be redistributed to national federations to support development.
- Governance and transparency: Introduce term limits (maximum three) and an age limit of 75 for IHF officials. Modernize the structures.
- Care for the game and its stakeholders: Greater transparency through adjustments of rules and regulations, better fan engagement, better use of technology and strong support for players’ well-being during and after their careers.
- Strengthening cooperation between federations: Encourage knowledge-sharing across continents and create regular dialogue between confederations.
- Stronger voice to members: Develop a five-year global strategy and create an advisory board with experts from both inside and outside of handball.
- Enhancing partnerships: Attract global consumer brands as sponsors, strengthen IOC ties, push for beach handball in the Olympics, and improve the fan experience through technology.
Handball insiders often say the IHF is too centralized. How would you ensure transparency and accountability?
– It starts with governance reform, clear rules, and genuine transparency. I want to establish liaison officers responsible for different continents, so every region feels represented. Competitions should also rotate more – not every World Championship should be in Europe, Bobinac says.
– Most of all, transparency comes from communication. I’ve always been very open and engaging. If elected, I will connect, communicate, and act.
After four years in office, what would success look like for you?
– Success would mean that handball has grown significantly beyond its current borders, that more countries have structured development programs, that beach handball is close to Olympic inclusion, that the IHF has global brand sponsors, and – most importantly – that we are a strong and united handball family.
How can the IHF better support smaller federations?
– By redistributing more funds for their development, but also by providing expertise – coaching, refereeing, grassroots organization. Europe has a lot of knowledge that should be shared. Development must go hand in hand with financial support.
What would you do differently regarding sponsorships and broadcasting?
– We need a professional sales and marketing strategy that clearly defines our unique selling points. Handball is one of the fastest and most dynamic sports in the world – but we need to communicate that better. With stronger fan engagement in more markets, global brands will want to join us.
Calendar congestion and player workload are constant complaints. What’s your solution?
– We must listen to the athletes and take care of their well-being – physically, mentally, and even after their careers. It’s about dialogue and balance between events and the players’ limits.
Gerd Butzeck has also announced his candidacy. How do you view him?
– I respect Gerd and we have a good contact. He was the first official candidate and he has highlighted the need for change. On that, I fully agree. However, we have very different backgrounds. My leadership experience spans decades, from leading international companies to sports administration. My background is also experience in national federation and olympic movement. When elected, I will work with all stakeholders, and would love to work with him as well.
Hassan Moustafa has led the IHF for over two decades. How do you assess his presidency?
– I will always speak with respect. A lot of good things were achieved in the past, however not enough during the last period. Therefore, I believe the time has come for a new era – a new chapter. It’s time to take handball to the next level. And I strongly believe I will be entrusted with the support of the IHF member federations to do that.
Some say the IHF has become too dependent on one strong personality. What would your leadership look like?
– I am a team player. My style is democratic, collaborative, and oriented towards results. I believe in bringing people together, engaging with them, setting a clear vision, and then executing it as a team. Handball needs leadership that is inclusive and future-oriented, says Bobinac.