Fáilte Ireland provides €100,000 for World Handball Championships

Fáilte Ireland is to provide €100,000 for the upcoming World Handball Championships, which is being held in Ireland this year for the first time in nine years.

Some 2,000 players from more than 33 countries are expected to attend the championship at the Citywest Convention Centre in Dublin from October 11-21.

Handball is known as ‘wallball’ outside of Ireland, but originated here.

Sports Minister Leo Varadkar said: "It’s great to see handball coming back home for this global re-launch. This promises to be an exciting tournament, with the world’s best players travelling to Ireland.

"It’s also great news for the economy and for Irish tourism, with some 2,000 players and a further 1,000 coaches and officials likely to attend. The visiting players will stay an average of 10 days, and every one of them will bring their own experience of Ireland back home with them."

CEO of GAA Handball Ireland Chris Curran said: "This is a monumental occasion for the Handball Association...under our theme of ‘Handball is coming home’."

Almost two thirds of the 2,000 players are expected to come from outside Ireland, including from across Europe, Australia and Asia, as well as North and South America. A further 1,000 coaches and officials are also expected to attend.