The Burkinabè Handball Federation has successfully trained 35 coaches in the IHF Licence D programme, concluding on September 26, 2026, in Ouagadougou. This initiative aims to strengthen the skills of handball coaches in Burkina Faso. The programme covered essential topics in coaching young players. The training was facilitated by Basile Kocou, an IHF instructor from Benin.
The training programme ran from September 21 to 26, 2026, focusing on fundamental coaching skills for young players. Participants learned how to design training sessions tailored to young players, plan their progress, and provide effective support during their learning journey. The IHF instructor expressed satisfaction with the participants' understanding of methodological approaches to coaching children.
According to Basile Kocou, the participants demonstrated significant progress throughout the training. He emphasized that investing in basic training is crucial for the development of handball in Africa. Kocou also announced that a follow-up system will be implemented to ensure that the skills acquired during the training are applied effectively on the field.
The Burkinabè Handball Federation's initiative was supported by the African Handball Confederation (CAHB) and the International Handball Federation (IHF). Aboubacar Sanfo, President of the Burkinabè Handball Federation, welcomed the 100% success rate of the participants and encouraged the newly certified coaches to apply their skills to develop the sport.
Sanfo emphasized that this training is part of a broader strategy to develop coaching skills in Burkina Faso. Previous sessions for Licence C and Licence B have enabled other Burkinabè coaches to enhance their capabilities, contributing to the improvement of national handball standards.
The training was also supported by the National Fund for Support to Private Press (FASP) Wassa Bondo. Representatives of the trainees expressed their commitment to applying the skills acquired during the training. The Burkinabè Handball Federation's efforts aim to strengthen the foundation of handball in the country.
The certification of these 35 coaches is expected to have a positive impact on the development of handball in Burkina Faso. With a stronger coaching base, the country can identify and nurture young talents, ultimately enhancing its handball teams' performance.
Key points
- Thirty-five Burkinabè handball coaches have earned the IHF Licence D certification.
- The training programme focused on coaching young players and was supported by the African Handball Confederation (CAHB) and the International Handball Federation (IHF).
- The Burkinabè Handball Federation aims to continue developing coaching skills to improve the country's handball standards.
