Handball takes step towards Olympic inclusion

Last weekend, GAA Handball played an integral part in what could prove to be one of the most historic International Conferences for the sport of handball worldwide.

The Valencia Regional Government played host to the various international bodies, as well as some of the National Federations around the world.

The bodies convened to look at a new international structure which would work towards bringing handball to the Olympic stage.

The exciting news is that there was unanimous agreement that a new International Federation, encompassing in excess of 33 National Federations from around the world, will be set up and will put forward a professional bid for Olympic status for 2016.

In addition to all the key players who were present at the meeting, the president of the Colombian Olympic Committee was also present to advise on legal protocol and structures to secure this ultimate ambition.

Part of this included discussion on handball being an exhibition sport at the World Games in Calais, Columbia, in 2013, which is a pre-requisite to getting a foot into the Olympic Games.