Handball Training Camp in Burundi: A Step Towards Development

The handball training camp, intended for 28 young players and their coaches, was held in Bujumbura for a week and ended on October 29, 2024. Under the supervision of the international expert Rabah Graichi, the participants have learned different techniques to promote this sport.

Training Camp Beneficiaries

The beneficiaries of this training camp are coaches from different nursery clubs who welcome children under 18 years of age. These clubs are Intwari, SOS, Hirondelles de l’Est, Fleurs du Nil, Team Brothers, Women Ambassadors and the Association for the Promotion of Children’s Rights and Community Development (APDEDC). Alongside the coaches, 28 young players, including 14 boys and 14 girls, were selected to follow this training.

New Techniques and Knowledge

Everyone got new techniques and knowledge about modern handball, taught by the international expert from Algeria, Graichi Rabah. This was declared by Dauphin Nikobamye, president of the Burundian Handball Federation (FEBUHAND).

I learned a lot during this training camp. The expert gave us various tactics that will allow us to raise the level of the clubs we train. We will continue our work by integrating this new knowledge into our respective teams in order to develop Burundian handball.

Isidore Cegetera, coach of the Hirondelles de l’Est club in Ruyigi

Future Plans

The president of FEBUHAND is confident that the trained coaches will be able to raise the level of their young athletes thanks to the skills gained. After this training camp, he plans to monitor the athletes’ progress by providing them with adequate equipment to be able to train in good conditions.

International Expert’s Appreciation

Mr Graichi is of the opinion that the boys he has trained already have some experience, having taken part in international competitions such as the IHF Trophy and the African Cup of Nations. “With adequate technical and social support, they will be able to achieve better performances. » As for the women, they have an intermediate level. “I tried to work by laying a solid foundation and tackling all the technical aspects. Unfortunately, seven days of training is not enough,” he regretted.

Challenges Facing Burundian Handball

Despite the potential of young Burundian handball players, the infrastructure creates “gross point d’holi”. For example, handball is played indoors, but there are no suitable indoor courts in Burundi. Which could slow down the development of this sport in the country.

Burundian handball cannot be compared to Algeria or other Maghreb countries, which benefit from a long history and developed infrastructure. It would be more relevant to compare ourselves with neighboring countries such as Rwanda and, subsequently, broaden the horizons of comparison.

Graichi Rabah