The 2016 National Women’s Junior Handball Championships began in Feicuihu Campus of HFUT on March 7. More than 260 athletes from 12 provinces competed in the game. The Championships was sponsored by the Handball, Hockey and Baseball Administration Center of the General Administration of Sport of China.

On March 7, Hassan Moustafa, President of the International Handball Federation (IHF), Helmut Digel, Advisor of IHF, HFUT Vice President Wu Yucheng, Cheng Qiao, Deputy Director of the Handball, Hockey and Baseball Administration Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, officials from sports authorities in Anhui, and athletes and coaches attended the opening ceremony.

VicePresident Wu delivered an opening remark, expressing HFUT’s warm welcome to all participants and introducing HFUT’s longstanding edge in handball. HFUT Men’s Team has already won 16 championships since it first participated in the National College Handball Championships in 1984. Handball is a very popular sport in HFUT. Wu said, the hosting of the Women’s Junior Championships will play an active role in the popularization and development of handball in college students. HFUT would exert utmost efforts to ensure a smooth ongoing of the championships.

An athlete representative and referee representative took on oath at the opening ceremony respectively, followed by performances of Chinese traditional dragon dance, martial arts and handball dance. President of the International Handball Federation, Hassan Moustafa announced the opening of the championships afterwards.

Fierce competition immediately began after the opening ceremony, with 14 teams divided into A group and B group. In the first match, the PLA Team defeated Beijing Team by 25: 10.

Originated from Europe, handball is ateam sportfeaturing fierce confrontation, fast beat, and frequent conversions between attack and defense. HFUT has been keeping among the top college teams in the 29 National College Handball Championships ever held.

2016 National Women’s Junior Handball Championships Kicks off

Vice President Wu is giving the opening remark

IHF President Hassan Moustafa announced the opening of the championships

Traditional Dragon Dance by students from Anhui Jianzhu University

Martial arts performance by HFUT students

Handball Dance by students from Hefei Xiegang Primary School

PLA Team vs. Beijing Team

Written & edited by: Wang Jian

Photo credit: Ning Langsha