MINSK, 29 March (BelTA) - The Handball Federation of Russia (HFR) and the Belarusian Handball Federation (BHF) are planning to start a joint men's league, the HFR press service informed.
Representatives of the two federations met in Moscow to discuss the interaction of clubs and national teams of the two countries. One of the topics was the launch of a joint men's handball league in addition to national championships. It will feature from six to eight clubs and will play the matches on the days of European cup competitions. The working group of the two federations will soon pick up the candidates for participation. A new tournament can start in September.
"I think it will be a very interesting tournament, no less exciting than European competitions. We will use this time to train the reserve and reach a new level. A plan has been put into action. The task is to start a tournament according to international standards, in compliance with sports principles, popular and aimed at improving the skills of handball players of the two fraternal countries," said Sergey Shishkarev, President of the HFR.
"We have been cooperating for a long time. Now, due to the current circumstances, with the illegal suspension of our teams from international competitions, we discussed projects that should please fans in Belarus and Russia. Not only clubs, but also national teams, both men's and women's, both adult and youth, will not be left aside," said Vladimir Konoplev, chairman of the BFG.
Already at the end of April, Moscow might host a mini-tournament among the women's national teams of Russia, Belarus and China, and the Russian youth teams. Proposals are also being prepared for tournaments between men's teams of different ages. Belarus is set to host a children's tournament with the participation of Russian teams in mid-May.
