The past week has been a momentous one for GAA Handball with the announcement that One-Wall Handball will be an exhibition sport at the World Games in Cali, Columbia, 2012.
Representatives from GAA Handball, including National Manager Chris Curran, travelled to Valencia, Spain over the weekend to attend what could prove to be one of the most historic international conferences for the sport of handball worldwide.
The CIJB (a Spanish based governing body of handball) in Valencia played host to the various international bodies, as well as some of the National Federations around the World to discuss the prospect of a new international structure which would work towards bringing handball to the Olympic stage.
One-Wall Handball is the common denominator of the various codes of the sport played around the world; at present Ireland are ranked fifth in both the men’s and ladies’ rankings.
Following two days of negotiations and debate in Valencia, unanimous agreement was reached on the formation of a new international one-wall federation, encompassing in excess of 33 national federations from around the world.
The main objective of the body is to put forward a professional bid for Olympic status in the future.
In addition to all the key players who were present at the meeting, the president of the Colombian Olympic Committee was also present throughout the weekend to advise on legal protocol and structures to secure this ultimate ambition.
A pre-requisite to getting a foot into the Olympic Games is to exhibit the sport at the World Games in Cali, Columbia, 2013.
In the interim period, a work-group of nine individuals has been formed which will finalise all arrangements and put in place a new constitution for the International Federation which will take in all handballing countries around the world. At present the number is 33 countries but by 2012, this could rise to 50.
This work-group will finalise this document, which is to be presented at a final International Conference which will take place in Ireland in June 2011, in the week prior to the One Wall Nationals.
This rapidly growing event will now see more than eight countries take part including USA, Columbia, Spain, England, Italy and France. With Olympic representation at this year's event to view the sport, Ireland will indeed have a very significant role to play in what promises to be a momentous era for the sport.
