Local handball coach Emmanuel Larue is expected to be better equipped to develop local handball, now that he has been selected to attend a 10-day coaching training in Egypt.

The veteran coach and former player will depart Seychelles today, where he will undertake the International Handball Federation (IHF) C Licence course.

The IHF C Licence is a coaching qualification in handball, offered by the International Handball Federation (IHF). It is a foundational level of coaching certification, designed to equip coaches with the necessary skills and knowledge to coach handball effectively at various levels, particularly with youth teams.

It is part of the IHF’s broader coaching education structure, which includes licences at different levels (e.g., C, B, A).

Courses for the IHF C Licence cover a range of topics, including basic handball skills, tactical approaches, defensive and offensive strategies, and physical training principles.

The courses typically involve both theoretical classroom sessions and practical on-court training, allowing coaches to apply their learning in real-world scenarios.

The IHF C Licence is recognised internationally, allowing coaches to work with teams and players in different countries. Achieving the IHF C Licence can serve as a stepping stone for coaches who wish to pursue further qualifications at higher levels, such as the IHF B or A Licences.

For Larue, this is a great opportunity, as it will allow him to further contribute to the sport in Seychelles by applying what he learns to the players and also help the other coaches.

“I have been looking forward to this for a long time and I am very happy that I have finally been given this opportunity,” shared Larue, who is also the coach of a handball academy, based in Perseverance, which is bringing through young talents for the future of the sport.

Larue was presented with his plane tickets for the travel to Egypt by the Seychelles Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (SOCGA) in a small ceremony held at the Olympic House on Monday afternoon.

It was the Association’s President, Alain Alcindor, who presented Larue, which his play ticket, in the presence of other members of SOCGA, and the Seychelles Handball Federation (SHF).

“On behalf of SOCGA, we wish Emmanuel the best of luck and hope that he succeeds,” said Alcindor, adding, “This continues to show our commitment to invest in our athletes, while we also ensure that we invest in the coaches, who work to develop these athletes.”

The Chairman of the SHF, Norbert Dogley, also expressed his gratitude to SOCGA for providing one of their athletes with such an opportunity.

“He works a lot with the youth, and what he will learn during this training will help to develop handball in Seychelles, while he can also share his knowledge with the other local coaches,” added Dogley.