IHF President Hassan Moustafa (right) met Croatia's President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic (left) during the visit ©IHF

Croatian Handball Federation (CHF) officials have informed the International Handball Federation (IHF) of their intention to be a candidate for the 2025 Men’s World Championship, after meeting the world governing body’s President Hassan Moustafa.

Moustafa spent a day in Zagreb to hold discussions with members of the CHF, whose President Tomislav Grahovac accompanied him on a visit to meet the Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic.

Among the main topics discussed at the meeting were the handball tournaments which are due to be held in Croatia in the coming years.

"It is an honour and pleasure that IHF President Dr Hassan Moustafa honoured us with his visit to Croatia," said Grahovac.

"The reasons for Dr Moustafa’s visit were the 2018 men’s European Championship and the 2017 European Beach Handball Championships, juniors and seniors, that we are hosting.

"Furthermore, we wanted to point out that we intend to present Croatia as a candidate for the 2025 IHF Men’s World Championship.

"We also have the upcoming IHF Congress where we see a possibility for our candidates to work actively in the IHF through various commissions.

"The future of beach handball was another part of the conversation because we strongly believe that soon it will become an Olympic sport."

Discussions were held on the key international events Croatia are due to host in the coming years ©IHF
Discussions were held on the key international events Croatia are due to host in the coming years ©IHF

Moustafa spent time with several of Croatia’s legendary former players following the meeting, including Ivano Balic and Slavko Goluza.

The duo were members of the Croatian team which claimed Olympic gold at Athens 2004, while Goluza had also been part of their victorious team at Atlanta 1996.

The day concluded with a press conference, where Moustafa was presented with a glass figure of the mascot for the 2018 European Championships.

"I know how important handball is in Croatia, we work really closely with the CHF - we work with people including Croatian referees, coaches and so on," said Moustafa.

"They work with us to help with the promotion of handball not only in Europe, but worldwide.

"One of the most vivid memories I have of Croatia is the men’s World Championship in 2009, which was one of the best organised Championships ever.

"Six halls were built for that purpose, many spectators were watching and we were very happy that we managed to organise this big event in Croatia.

"The Croatian national team plays attractive handball that fans like to watch, this is what our sport needs now and in the future."

Croatia's men were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the Rio 2016 Olympic tournament, while the women did not qualify.