At the 2025 IHF Men’s World Championship, the Danish sportswear brand hummel, the the official equipment supplier of the IHF for all indoor and beach handball events organised under its aegis, will once again promote the empowerment of girls in Sierra Leone through the 'Player of the Match' award. This marks the sixth consecutive edition of the world handball flagship competition where the award is dedicated to supporting this initiative. 

The global handball community will soon unite to witness the sport’s top players compete at the 2025 IHF Men's World Championship, taking place in Denmark, Norway, and Croatia from 14 January to 2 February.

Throughout the competition, the players' success will extend beyond personal recognition. With the Player of the Match award, hummel provides an opportunity to share their passion for handball by donating handball equipment to the HAND – Handball for A New Destiny – project, which empowers vulnerable girls in Sierra Leone.

"We are incredibly proud that the Player of the Match award will, for the sixth IHF tournament in a row, support the HAND project. HAND is a shining example of how sport can be a platform for empowerment, learning, and real influence. It perfectly embodies our mission to change the world through sport, and we look forward to continuing this collaboration and supporting the incredible work being done for girls in Sierra Leone," says Lars Stentebjerg, CEO of hummel.

The HAND project combines sport and social development, leveraging handball as a means of creating opportunities and fostering self-confidence for young girls. Each Player of the Match will contribute directly to this mission, ensuring the ripple effect of their achievements inspires future generations both on and off the court.

"We’re excited to continue our strong collaboration with the IHF and hummel on the Player of the Match award. With hummel's continued support and the girls' dedication, the potential for lasting change is greater than ever before. The HAND project serves as a reminder of how sports and community can drive a more just and equal future. We’ve already seen the incredible impact these initiatives have had on the girls, who feel deeply proud and honoured to receive these donations from the world’s best handball players,” says Cecilie Hauerberg, Co-founder of FANT.

Dr Hassan Moustafa, President of the IHF, also expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative: “For the sixth time, the IHF and hummel are making a global impact with this partnership, providing more opportunities where they are truly needed. Since its launch a few years ago, the initiative has already delivered impressive results, perfectly reflecting the spirit of the World Championship and the essence of handball. It demonstrates that unity can drive meaningful change in the world.”

About HAND

HAND - Handball for A New Destiny, a project launched by the organization FANT, integrates handball with educational programs focused on rights, equality, and democracy specifically for young girls in Sierra Leone. This initiative operates on the principle that sports can serve as a powerful catalyst for social change. By combining sporting activities with rights education, HAND aims to empower girls, giving them the courage and resources to build a better future for themselves and their communities.