Handball

Handball is a dynamic and high-intensity team sport played between two teams of seven players each. The game involves players using their hands to pass, dribble, catch, and throw a small ball in an attempt to score goals against the opposing team. The team with the most goals at the end of the match is declared the winner. A standard handball match consists of two halves, each lasting 30 minutes, with a 10-minute break at halftime. The sport demands agility, strength, speed, and coordination, making it one of the most physically demanding team sports on the Olympic programme.

Handball made its Olympic debut as an indoor sport at the Munich 1972 Olympic Games, following a one-time appearance of ‘field handball’—an 11-a-side version played on a football pitch—at the Berlin 1936 Games. The women’s competition was introduced shortly after, at the Montreal 1976 Olympics, solidifying handball's place as a core Olympic sport for both men and women. Globally, the sport has been dominated by European nations, with countries such as France, Denmark, and Sweden consistently among the top-performing teams. However, in recent years, Team Qatar has emerged as a formidable force in the international handball arena.

In a historic and groundbreaking achievement, the Qatari national team reached the final of the 2015 IHF Men’s Handball World Championship, hosted on home soil in Doha. This marked the first time a non-European team had ever reached the final of the tournament. Despite falling short against powerhouse France, Qatar’s performance captivated the global handball community and redefined the sport's competitive landscape.

Continuing their rise, Qatar qualified for the Olympic Games for the first time in handball at Rio 2016, a milestone achievement for the nation. They advanced to the quarter-finals, a remarkable debut that further established their credibility and ambition in the sport. Today, Qatar remains one of the strongest handball teams outside Europe, consistently competing in Asian and international championships. Their success is backed by strategic investments in talent development, world-class training facilities, and a growing local interest in the sport.