After more than a decade of uncontested elections, the International Handball Federation (IHF) is preparing for an unprecedented electoral process in its recent history. Egyptian Hassan Moustafa, president since 2000, will face German candidate Gerd Butzeck at the 40th IHF Congress, to be held from December 19 to 22 in Cairo. It will be the first time since 2009 that Moustafa will compete for the position, in a context that could mark a turning point for the future of global handball.

Butzeck’s candidacy was confirmed by the German Handball Federation (DHB), which advocates for a renewed leadership to address the current challenges of the sport. While the organization acknowledged Moustafa’s long tenure, it also stressed the need for a different approach to meet the evolving landscape of international handball. The vote will be crucial in determining the direction of a growing sport.

A CONTEST AFTER 25 YEARS

At 80 years old, Hassan Moustafa is seeking a seventh term at the helm of the IHF. Since joining the council in 1992 and first being elected president in 2000, he has been re-elected unopposed since 2009. Under his leadership, the federation has gained visibility and structure, adding new competitions and strengthening its global presence. However, sectors like the DHB believe it is time to bring in new ideas and strategies to further develop handball at all levels.

Meanwhile, 66-year-old Gerd Butzeck enters the race with a candidacy supported by extensive experience both on and off the court. A former elite referee, club executive, and sports management expert, Butzeck has worked in key areas such as sponsorship, broadcasting rights, and international relations. He currently leads the Group Club Handball and sits on the board of EHF Marketing GmbH. His broad background in various aspects of the sport positions him as a contender with a vision focused on modernizing and professionalizing handball worldwide.