The Olympic Youth Games handball competition draw was conducted on Saturday at the International Handball Federation (IHF) headquarters in Basel, Switzerland. A total of six women's and six men's teams will compete in the handball tournaments of the second edition of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Nanjing, China from 20 to 25 August 2014. The women's tournament will see Russia, Korea and Angola competing in group A, whereas Sweden, Brazil and China are set to battle it out in group B. In the men's tournament, defending champions Egypt are set to defend the title they won in the first edition of the YOG, which was held in Singapore in 2014, as they face Brazil and Norway in Group A. En route to retaining their gold medal, the Egyptians — determined to make it to the Olympic podium again — will face tough competition from the Brazilians and Norwegians. Qatar, Slovenia and Tunisia were drawn in Group B. As hosting nation of the Youth Olympic Games, China could choose their preliminary round group in the women's tournament. The preliminary round will be played on three match days from 20 to 22 August. The two best-ranked teams from each group qualify for the semi-finals on 24 August, while those teams finishing third in their groups play two placement matches for the girls' and the boys' positions 5 and 6 (24/25 August). On 25 August the medal matches in both competitions (bronze final and final) will be held in Nanjing. At the first edition of the Youth Olympic Games 2010 in Singapore, Egypt (boys) and Denmark (girls) took the gold medals. IHF president Dr Hassan Mustafa, former president of the Egyptian Handball Federation, said that the sport of handball has changed fundamentally over the last years. Describing it as “a revolution,” he said, “Our game has become faster. More goals have been scored, which has increased the attractiveness of the sport. Important changes have also occurred off the playing court. The handball family currently consists of 181 members.” “We are also glad to mention that TV coverage and marketing possibilities have opened up an entirely new dimension. As far as the Olympics is concerned, handball has by now become firmly established in terms of men's as well as in terms of women's handball. All this should be reason enough to pause for a moment and to reflect on the achievements with joy,” said Mustafa, who has just been elected as Vice President of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF). Created in 1983, the ASOIF coordinates and defends the common interests of its 28 members to ensure close cooperation between them, the members of the Olympic Movement and those of other organisations. It does so with the aim of safeguarding the Olympic Movement while maintaining the authority, independence and autonomy of member international federations. The Council is composed of a president and six members, all from different federations. One of the six members is elected as vice-president, the current incumbent being Egypt's Mustafa, the IHF president. The president and all the members are elected for four-year mandates. The director is nominated by the council on the proposal of the president as an executive position. The International Federations (IFs) have the responsibility and duty to manage and to monitor the everyday running of the world's various sports disciplines, including the practical organisation of events during the games, as well as the supervision of the development of athletes practising these sports at every level. Each IF governs its sport at world level and ensures its promotion and development. They guarantee the regular organisation of competitions as well as respect for the rules of fair play. ASOIF's mission is to unite, promote and support the International Summer Olympic Federations; to preserve their autonomy, while co-ordinating their common interests and goals. ASOIF's role is to serve and represent the Summer Olympic International Federations in the most competent, articulate and professional manner on issues of common interest to the Summer Olympic Games and the Olympic Movement, and on any other matter deemed necessary by the IFs.
