Sources close to GoHandball indicate that International Handball Federation (IHF) President Hassan Moustafa is not expected to attend the final weekend of the Women’s World Championship in Rotterdam. The information has drawn attention within the international handball community, as Moustafa have traditionally been present during the concluding stages of World Championships.
The IHF has not publicly commented on the matter, and no official explanation has been provided for Moustafa’s anticipated absence.
Presidential attendance at World Championships is often seen as symbolically important, serving to recognise the host nation, engage with participating federations, and underline the global significance of the competition.
And during Moustafas presidential tenure, the Egyptian have been president since 2000, he normally attends final weekends of the WC.
Why is Moustafa not attending? Open to interpretation
Observers in international sports governance note that absences of this kind can stem from a variety of reasons – from scheduling conflicts to internal priorities – yet the lack of formal communication leaves the situation open to interpretation.
Despite the unusual circumstances, the focus in Rotterdam remains firmly on the athletes and the culmination of the tournament.
Still, the president’s expected absence marks a notable deviation from past championship traditions, adding an unexpected subplot to the highly anticipated final weekend.
GoHandball have asked the IHF for a comment.
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