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.
The Four Pillars of My Candidacy
As we move closer to the IHF presidential elections, I want to share the foundation of my vision for the future of international handball. Throughout my career, I have learned that sustainable progress comes from clarity, consistency and collaboration. The role of President requires more than leadership alone, it requires a structured approach built on principles that strengthen both the sport and the global community around it.With that in mind, I have defined four pillars that guide my candidacy. These pillars reflect what I consider essential for a strong and resilient IHF, capable of supporting players, clubs, federations and fans worldwide.
1. Handball Development
Handball development has always been my passion. When I began my presidency of the Dutch Handball Federation in 2011, our women’s team was ranked in the top 20 and our men’s team in the top 60. Over the years, we built a strong and ambitious program together.During my presidency the Women’s team qualified for their first Olympic’s and became World Champion in 2019. In 2020 our men’s team qualified for the first time for a European Championship and in 2023 they participated to the World Championship after 60 years! Now the Dutch Handball Federation together with the German Handball Federation is the proud organizer of the current World Championship after almost 40 years.If you are a President or Director of a small federation with bold ambitions, I know what it takes to grow a handball community from limited resources to international success. As IHF President, I will ensure that federations of all sizes receive the support they need. Our sport needs every nation to thrive.
2. Finances
Handball is part of the global entertainment industry. Thanks to the strong investments of our top federations in their national teams, the IHF has generated significant financial resources.This money belongs to the global handball community. The IHF must act as the true representative of that community: investing wisely, transparently and ambitiously to grow the sport worldwide.My goal is clear: within the next ten years, we should be able to organize a true World Championship. One where the top rankings are not dominated exclusively by European teams, but feature strong contenders from every region. A global sport must reflect global strength.
3. Governance
Handball is a diverse, open and welcoming sport. Our community works hard, plays hard and celebrates together, and our federation should reflect those same values.The IHF must take a leading role in transparent and modern governance, fully aligned with international standards for fairness, compliance, accountability, term limits, age limits and integrity.Good governance is not something we commit to for a single election period. It must be a consistent and long term foundation that builds trust and strengthens our global community.
4. Diplomacy
Handball deserves a central place in the international sports landscape. To achieve this, we must look outward rather than inward.Today, our attention is often directed toward internal competition, while other sports move forward quickly and succeed in attracting new generations. Handball should take its rightful place as a modern, ambitious and visible sport that works together across borders, brings new ideas to life and contributes to the wider development of global sport.Diplomacy is about building connections. It brings people together across continents, across federations and between handball and the international sports community. This is essential for long term growth.
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