MINSK, 4 February (BelTA) - The Council of the International Handball Federation (IHF) will consider the issue of returning the youth national teams of Belarus and Russia to the international arena on 27 February. This is stated in a letter from IHF Director General Amal Khalifa, BelTA learned from the Belarusian Handball Federation.
“Thanks to our ongoing correspondence with the heads of international handball structures regarding the admission of our teams to participate in international competitions, we have finally received at least some response from the International Handball Federation,” Chairman of the Belarusian Handball Federation Vladimir Konoplev said.
“Unfortunately, I see no specifics in the IHF letter. We very much hope that not only female players under 16 will be allowed to participate in tournaments, but also older age categories, including the main national teams for both men and women. And, of course, we hope to participate not under a neutral status, but as is proper: with the flag and anthem of the Republic of Belarus,” Vladimir Konoplev emphasized.
Belarusian and Russian handball players were suspended from participating in international tournaments in early March 2022.
The IHF letter received on 2 February states that on 11 December 2025, the Olympic Summit supported the IOC Executive Board’s recommendation that young athletes with Russian or Belarusian passports should no longer be restricted from accessing international youth competitions in both individual and team sports. In connection with the revised IOC recommendations, on 22 January 2026, IHF President Hassan Moustafa sent a letter to President of the European Handball Federation (EHF) Michael Wiederer, a copy of which was also received by the Belarusian Handball Federation. The letter mentions the IHF Council’s decision of 7 August 7, 2025, which allows teams from Belarus and Russia to participate in the U16 Girls’ World Championship as neutral teams, provided they pass the European qualification.
“We eagerly await the speedy return of young athletes from Russia and Belarus to international handball courts,” IHF Director General Amal Khalifa said.
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