Shaping the future of handball together
Handball has always been more than a sport to me, it’s a community built on passion, respect, and togetherness.I am proud to announce my candidacy for the presidency of the International Handball Federation.
Tjark de Lange
Get to know me
Handball has always been more than a sport to me, it’s a community built on passion, respect, and togetherness.
I am proud to announce my candidacy for the presidency of the International Handball Federation.I believe in a future where we further strengthen our sport by working together: athletes, coaches, officials, federations and fans alike.Together, we can ensure that handball continues to grow as an inclusive, inspiring, and truly global game.Below you can explore the different roles and experiences that have shaped my journey.
Owner/Director Kapp
President Dutch Handball Federation
President Super Handball League
EHF Executive Committee
My Candidacy for IHF President
Interview with Richard van der Made
Together with the highly respected Dutch journalist Richard van der Made, I spoke in depth about my background and my motivation to run for the presidency of the IHF.
If you are interested, you can watch or listen to the full episode below.
Owner/Director - Kapp
From 1997 - 2024
From 1997 to 2024, I had the privilege of being the active owner and director of KAPP. In those 27 years, I helped build a company that focuses on creating safe, inclusive, and future-proof environments for communities across the Netherlands.Together with my team, I worked every day to deliver quality, innovate where possible, and contribute to society in a meaningful way. These values have shaped me deeply and continue to guide me in everything I do, including my commitment to the future of handball.
President Dutch Handball Federation
From 2011 - 2021
From 2011 to 2021, I had the honor of serving as President of the Dutch Handball Federation. After my statutory resignation, I was re-elected twice, which I see as a sign of trust from our clubs and members. The federation represents around 50,000 members and 400 clubs, organizing around a thousand competitions every season at all amateur levels for both youth and adults, alongside the continuous development of our national teams.During my presidency, Dutch handball reached historic milestones. Our Women’s National Team became World Champions, and our Men’s National Team qualified for the European Championship for the first time, as well as the World Championship for the first time in 60 years. These achievements are the result of long-term work, cooperation with clubs and coaches, and a shared belief in the potential of our sport.
President Super Handball League
From 2021 - Present
Formerly known as the BENE-League, the Super Handball League (SHL) is the rapidly developing top-tier joint competition between the seven strongest Dutch handball teams and the seven strongest Belgian teams.Under my presidency, the league has undergone a complete stylistic transformation to better reflect the innovative and forward-thinking character it stands for.Through new initiatives, we aim to engage fans more deeply and help grow the sport across the Low Countries. With stronger collaboration, a bold visual identity, and a clear ambition, we are building a league that breaks boundaries. Together with, and for, the clubs.
EHF Executive Committee
From 2025 - Present
Since 2025, I have been a member of the Executive Committee of the European Handball Federation (EHF). In this role, I work closely with colleagues from across Europe to shape the strategic direction of our sport, strengthen governance, and support the continued growth of handball at all levels. Being part of this committee allows me to contribute directly to important decisions that influence competitions, development programs, and the future of handball throughout Europe
Follow my journey
With experience in national and international leadership, I am committed to further strengthen handball at every level.
Together with federations, clubs, officials, players, and fans, we can continue to build a sport that grows globally
© 2025 Tjark de Lange – Candidate for President, IHF