The 2025/2026 Women’s IHF Trophy Africa Zone V tournament officially got underway on Tuesday, May 6, at the Old Kampala Arena, with eight countries vying for regional handball supremacy and a place in the continental phase of the IHF World Youth Championship.
Originally expected to feature ten teams, the competition began with only eight participating nations following the late withdrawal of South Sudan and Sudan.
The two countries were disqualified after failing to show up despite earlier confirmations of their participation.
Speaking on the matter, Musoke Daniel from the tournament’s organizing committee expressed disappointment over the absentees.
“They kept us hopeful and assured us they were on their way. Unfortunately, their absence automatically disqualifies them from the championship,” Musoke said.
Host nation Uganda is joined in the competition by Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi, Somalia, and Egypt. Notably, Egypt has fielded only an Under-19 team, while the rest of the participating nations have entered both Under-17 and Under-19 teams in the five-day tournament.
The IHF Trophy is part of a broader development initiative led by Dr. Aremou Mansourou, President of the African Handball Confederation.
The program aims to elevate the profile of handball in underrepresented African countries by providing more opportunities for youth competition and exposure on the international stage.
As action unfolds in Kampala, the remaining teams are now set to compete for top honors and a coveted spot at the continental level, in a tournament that is shaping up to be a key milestone in the growth of women’s handball across the region.
