Hanning praises Moustafa, Michelmann pushes reform
“Gratitude is not the decisive criterion,” says the DHB president as debate over IHF leadership intensifies
The race for the presidency of the International Handball Federation (IHF) has sparked tensions within German handball. Former DHB vice president Bob Hanning sharply criticized the German Handball Federation (DHB) for the way it endorsed Gerd Butzeck as its preferred candidate to challenge long-time IHF president Hassan Moustafa. DHB president Andreas Michelmann has now publicly responded.
“The way the DHB positioned Gerd Butzeck did not please me. There is no person in world handball who has done more for German handball than Hassan Moustafa,” Hanning told Stuttgarter Zeitung and Stuttgarter Nachrichten.
“Everyone who criticizes him should remember that the current standing of German handball is closely linked to Hassan Moustafa’s work.”
In his response, Michelmann emphasized that the federation’s endorsement was made with a view to the future rather than out of loyalty to the past.
“The statement by Bob Hanning raises the question of whether an election recommendation should be based on gratitude or on expectations for future development,” said Michelmann.
“In my experience, gratitude is not the decisive criterion in political, economic, or sporting decision-making. Gratitude is expressed through respect and recognition — and the DHB has always shown both to Dr. Hassan Moustafa. That will remain the case.”
Michelmann, who has led the DHB since 2015, will seek another term at the upcoming DHB Congress on November 16 in Dresden.
“An election recommendation or candidate proposal, according to the DHB’s position, is primarily made based on expectations for the future,” he said.
“The DHB has concluded that change is needed at the top of the world federation to make the IHF more modern and future-ready. For that reason, we nominated Gerd Butzeck early and communicated it transparently.”
