MUSCAT: A delegation from the International Handball Federation (IHF) is scheduled to visit Muscat before the end of this month to assess the Sultanate of Oman’s readiness to stage the 2028 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships.
The inspection visit follows the formal bid which was submitted in September last year by the Oman Handball Association (OHA), positioning Oman among the shortlisted candidates to host the global showpiece. The IHF delegation will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of sporting venues, beach facilities, accommodation, hotels, logistics infrastructure and operational readiness, during their visit in Muscat before making a final decision on the host nation.
Confirming the visit, Moosa bin Khamis al Balushi, OHA Chairman, told Oman Observer that the association has received an official notification from the IHF regarding the inspection mission.
“We have received an official letter from the International Handball Federation informing us of their intention to visit Oman to assess the readiness of our bid,” Al Balushi said. “The evaluation will include facilities, venues, hotels and all other operational aspects required to host an event of this magnitude.”
Al Balushi indicated that the outcome of the bidding process is expected to be announced within a defined time frame following the inspection. “It is anticipated that within the next three months, the IHF will announce the name of the country that will host the 2028 World Beach Handball Championships,” he said.
“A positive discussion between OHA and IHF officials already took place recently during the IHF General Assembly held in Cairo, Egypt, last month, where Oman’s bid was presented and reviewed in detail,” he concluded.
ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIP
Oman’s confidence in securing the hosting rights has been bolstered by its recent success in staging major international and continental handball events. Muscat had hosted the 10th Asian Men’s Beach Handball Championship 2025 from May 6 to 15.
The championship concluded with Oman’s men’s national team delivering a landmark achievement, defeating regional powerhouse Iran 2-0 in the final to claim the continental title for the second time. The victory also secured Oman’s qualification for the 2026 IHF Men’s Beach Handball World Championship, scheduled to take place in Croatia.
Oman’s bid is further strengthened by its proven track record as a global host. The Sultanate of Oman had successfully staged the IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships in Al Musannah in 2012, an event that remains a reference point within the IHF calendar for its organisation and coastal facilities.
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