IHF Chairman of the Commission of Organizing and Competitions (COC)Mr.  Leon Kalin paid an official visit to Tbilisi.

Georgian Handball Federation applied for hosting  men's youth World Championship in 2017 and   Slovenian guest from the IHF visited Georgia for getting  acquainted with the current situation and sharing  his experience. 

On 28 March COC Chairman together with the President of Georgian Handball Federation Zurab Kakabadze met at the NOC offices with the GNOC President Leri Khabelov and Secretary General Emzar Zenaishvili.

"It is my first visit in Georgia and I noticed at once that you are hospitable and open people. I welcome your willingness to host such a top rank tournament. It is  in our interests to develop and make this sport popular  in  many countries. Three venues should be in place  to hold the world championship that will be completely satisfying defined standards and what is important these venues should be comfortable not only for athletes but also for media representatives to promote the event to the general public. Furthermore, it is essential to create necessary accommodation for the participants. I appreciate your efforts to bring the world championship in Georgia but we should have guarantees from the state as well that you can organize this top event on high level"- says Leon Kalin 

During the discussions Georgian NOC President Leri Khabelov  mentioned about great traditions Georgia acquired in this sport. We have famous Olympic champions such as Aleksander Anpilogov and also Jemal Tsertsvadze, the latter nicknamed "Pele of handball".

"Our country actually has certain experience for hosting international tournaments holding recently in Tbilisi European Wrestling Championship. Earlier we hosted also European Judo Championship  and in 2015 European Youth Olympic Festival will be organized in Tbilisi where handball is envisaged   among team sports.  So, Georgia will be represented in this festival with the same team that will have to participate in the men's youth World Championship if we succeed to bring this event in Tbilisi. Therefore, Georgian NOC welcomes enthusiasm of our Handball Federation and expresses readiness to support them in realization of this significant mission"- says Leri Khabelov.

Croatia and South Korea the countries with the strong sport infrastructure already in place, are striving along with Georgia for acquiring the right to host the men's Youth WCH in 2017. One of them will quit this marathon in May and the IHF will make its choice out of the remaining two candidates in October at the IHF Congress to be held in Doha (Qatar).