UAE handball opens its doors to expatriates
DIHC co-owner thanks governing body for allowing team into domestic tournaments
Dubai: The co-owner of the Dubai International Handball Club (DIHC) has welcomed the team’s inclusion in the country’s domestic league and cup competitions by the UAE Handball Federation (UAE HF).
UAE HF President Dr Majid Sultan Bin Sulaiman last week made the historic announcement that cleared the all-expatriate DIHC club to compete in the UAE Handball League and UAE Union Cup.
The new season gets under way in the middle of September and DIHC, who will also compete in the Dubai International Under-16s Handball Championships at Al Manara sports hall from August 17 to 22, will figure as one of ten teams. The fixtures and schedules for the senior competitions will be announced later this month.
Established in 2012 by a group of enthusiasts, DIHC boasts a number of former professional players who are committed to promoting the growth of handball in the UAE. DIHC will be one of ten clubs figuring.
“The move to allow DIHC to be part of the league and cup is truly a huge confidence boost for us as a private entity. We have been working tirelessly for the past three years and at last our youngsters will get the opportunity of playing against all the clubs in the UAE,” DIHC co-owner Dario Menichetti told Gulf News.
“This is a historic occasion as this is the first time ever that an expatriate team is involved in a proper season in the UAE. Our aim is to grow as a club and as a team and, who knows, one day we can even win the league,” the former Italian Division Two player added.
DIHC Manager Walid Ebrahim, who is among the Emiratis pushing for the integration of expatriates into UAE sport, thanked the UAE HF for giving DIHC their opportunity.
“This will be a learning curve for both the expatriates and the UAE players. We strive to have a truly professional set-up at DIHC where any expatriate can come and be part of what we want to see — the development of handball in the country,” he said.
DIHC’s various age-level teams train daily at Al Manara sports hall or Al Sufouq Secondary School. The DIHC management is also in the process of forging a tie-up with Al Wasl Club to use their indoor hall.
“These are exciting times for handball in the UAE and we would be more than happy to have enthusiasts come and join us in fostering the development of the sport in this country,” Menichetti said.
