Turkey Handball Federation

{{Short description|Governing body of handball in Turkey}} {{Infobox Organization |name = Turkish Handball Federation |image = Turkey Handball Federation.png |image_size = 200px |caption = |map = |map_size = |map_caption = |abbreviation = THF |formation = {{start date and age|1976|02|04}} |type = Government organisation |status = |purpose = Sport |headquarters = Çankaya |location = Ankara, Turkey |region_served = Turkey |language = Turkish |leader_title = President |leader_name = Mesut Çebi <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thf.org.tr/haber/turkiye-hentbol-federasyonu-baskanligina-mesut-cebi-secildi/7253 |publisher=Türkiye Hentbol Federasyonu |title=Türkiye Hentbol Federasyonu başkanlığına Mesut Çebi seçildi |language=Turkish |accessdate=2024-10-24 }}</ref> |parent_organization = GSGM |website = {{URL|http://www.thf.org.tr/}} |remarks = }}

'''Turkish Handball Federation''' ({{langx|tr|Türkiye Hentbol Federasyonu}}) is the governing body of handball and beach handball sports in Turkey. It was formed on February 4, 1976.<ref name="thf">{{cite web |url=http://www.thf.gov.tr/IcerikGetir/1082.aspx |publisher=Türkiye Hentbol Federasyonu |title=Tarihçe |language=Turkish |accessdate=2011-06-30 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604011238/http://www.thf.gov.tr/IcerikGetir/1082.aspx |archivedate=2011-06-04 }}</ref> The headquarters is located in Çankaya district of Ankara.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thf.gov.tr/Iletisim.aspx|publisher=Türkiye Hentbol Federasyonu |title=İletişim |language=Turkish |accessdate=2011-06-30 }}</ref> It is a member of the European Handball Federation (EHF).

It organizes leagues, tournaments and championships for all age groups of both genders at national level. In addition, support services like the education of referees and coaches are within its duties. Participations of Turkish handball teams at all international competition events are organized by the federation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thf.gov.tr/Default.aspx |publisher=Türkiye Hentbol Federasyonu |title=Ana Sayfa |language=Turkish |accessdate=2011-06-30 }}</ref>

==History== Handball began in Turkey in the period 1927-1938 as an outdoor sport, initiated by three Turkish instructors for physical education at military schools, who were trained in Germany. The first official rules for field handball were published in 1934 by the "Turkey Physical Training Association" ({{langx|tr|Türkiye İdman Cemiyeti}}), and the first official open-air field handball match was played in 1938.<ref name="thf"/>

In 1942, handball, volleyball and basketball were organized unter the "Sport Games Federation" ({{langx|tr|Spor Oyunları Federasyonu}}) that led to a fast-growing development. The first field handball league was formed in the 1942-43 season in Istanbul. In 1945, the first Turkish championship was organized.<ref name="thf"/>

From 1945 on, indoor handball matches were held for girls in schools. From 1960 to 1962, the first referee courses took place. Serious efforts relating to indoor handball date from the mid-1970s. At that time, instructors of physical education, who were sent to West Germany for further education, founded the modern indoor handball sport in Turkish schools following their return. In 1975, official indoor handball rules were translated and published by Yaşar Sevim of the Sports Academy of Ankara.<ref name="thf"/>

On February 4, 1976, Turkey Handball Federation was established. Yaşar Sevim was appointed its first president, who had received further education for four years at the Sports Academy in Cologne, Germany.<ref name="thf"/>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{Official website}}

{{Sports governing bodies in Turkey}} {{National members of the European Handball Federation}} {{National Members of the International Handball Federation}}

Category:Organizations based in Ankara Category:Sports organizations established in 1976 Handball Category:Handball governing bodies Category:European Handball Federation Federation Category:1976 establishments in Turkey