Sources: Kuwait handball federation pressures Moustafa ahead of IHF election – IHF responds with threat of legal action

The International Handball Federation (IHF) has issued a strict warning to the Kuwait Handball Federation after what it views as an attempt to influence the upcoming presidential election. According to GoHandball sources, Kuwait has been actively engaging other Asian member federations in an effort to generate opposition against current IHF President Hassan Moustafa.

As first reported by the Arabic outlet handwtan.com, a Gulf federation contacted several Asian federations ahead of the December election, encouraging them to increase pressure on the IHF leadership. While handwtan.com did not name the federation involved, GoHandball can reveal that the country in question is Kuwait.

Offering support – while encouraging pressure

According to the information, Kuwait allegedly urged Asian federations to raise demands towards the IHF related to visas, travel arrangements, accommodation and other logistical matters connected to the election congress. At the same time, Kuwait allegedly offered its own assistance in helping federations meet those logistical requirements – on the condition that they participated in the election and joined in applying political pressure against Moustafa.

In other words, Kuwait was not demanding support from other federations, but rather offering logistical backing while encouraging them to confront the IHF leadership. The strategy appears designed to mobilise votes and weaken Moustafa’s position ahead of the presidential election.

IHF responds forcefully

After receiving information from Asian federations that had been approached with such offers, the IHF allegedly responded firmly. In a strongly worded letter sent to Kuwait, the federation warned that the alleged conduct could be interpreted as interference in the electoral process.

According to the warning, the actions may be considered unethical and potentially in violation of rules intended to safeguard fair and independent elections. The IHF further threatened to refer the case to its Ethics Commission and did not rule out the possibility of legal action should the violations be deemed serious.

Political backdrop

What is known is that Kuwait is dissatisfied with Hassan Moustafa’s leadership and is seeking to remove him from office. The federation is supporting a European challenger in the presidential race and is simultaneously aiming to secure greater influence within the Asian Handball Federation.

Is Kuwait’s conduct illegal under IHF rules?

The IHF Statutes do not explicitly prohibit member federations from contacting each other to discuss or advocate for specific candidates in presidential elections. The statutes focus mainly on safeguarding internal democratic processes within each federation, rather than restricting communication between federations.

However, the IHF Ethics Code takes a stricter view on election conduct. While normal political discussion and campaigning are permitted, the code prohibits corruption, undue influence and manipulation of the electoral process.

Actions that may violate the Ethics Code include:

1, Offering material benefits – such as assistance with visas, travel or accommodation – in exchange for political support

2, Promising incentives conditional on voting behaviour

3, Applying undue pressure beyond normal political advocacy

If Kuwait tied logistical support to voting alignment, the IHF may interpret this as a breach of ethical principles, even if inter-federation dialogue itself is not banned.

Power struggle in Asia

The situation is further complicated by developments within Asian handball. Just two days before the IHF presidential election, the Asian Handball Federation will hold its own congress, where two candidates from Kuwait are contesting a key executive position.

One candidate has been nominated by Kuwait, while the other has been nominated by India. According to credible sources, the Indian nomination allegedly carries backing from Hassan Moustafa himself – a detail that underscores the broader political struggle unfolding ahead of the global vote.

A final twist

The chair of the IHF Ethics Commission – the very body that may review the Kuwait case – is Hussein Moustafa (not to confuse with Hassan Moustafa) of Egypt.