After nearly 10 years of stagnation under the national Olympic framework, handball is making a promising comeback in Antigua and Barbuda, with the small island nation poised to make its regional competitive debut at the upcoming International Handball Federation (IHF) Beach Handball Tournament and World Cup qualifier hosted by neighboring St. Kitts and Nevis.
The journey of handball in Antigua and Barbuda traces back to the early vision of E. P. Chet Greene, president of the Antigua and Barbuda National Olympic Committee (ABNOC), who first brought the sport to the islands. Decades later, after years of minimal activity, local handball advocates led by Cliff Williams have refocused development efforts on beach handball — a format that fits naturally with the country’s coastal landscape — to rebuild grassroots interest and participation.
This revival effort received critical backing from the IHF’s Developing Nations grant program, which provided the financial support needed to assemble both men’s and women’s national squads and cover the costs of competing in the April 23-26, 2026 tournament. Beyond funding, the IHF also delivered on-the-ground coaching support, bringing in Puerto Rico-based coach Olando Garcia to train local athletes and help the Antigua and Barbuda Handball Association design a long-term competitive development plan for the sport.
In just two months, the association ran an aggressive recruitment and intensive training campaign to build the two national rosters. A total of 20 athletes — 10 men and 10 women — were selected alongside a delegation of five officials. To build a competitive base quickly, organizers recruited athletes from existing popular local sports: most female competitors came from netball and volleyball backgrounds, while male athletes were drawn from cricket, baseball, volleyball and other community sporting programs. Training sessions were held across both beach courts and indoor hardcourts to prepare the squads for the upcoming competition.
Association leaders say the athletes have shown remarkable dedication, enthusiasm and growth throughout the training process, putting in the work to reach a competitive standard ahead of their first international outing. The men’s team will kick off its tournament campaign at 9:00 a.m. against host St. Kitts and Nevis, while the women’s squad will face its first match against the United States at 12:20 p.m. Organizers plan to share a link to live stream the matches once it is made available.
The handball association extended public gratitude to all partners that made the revival possible, singling out Karen Joseph, NOC vice president and president of Antigua and Barbuda’s netball association, for her instrumental support in launching the initiative, and local trainer Keston Daley for his ongoing commitment to athlete development. The association also reaffirmed its thanks to the IHF for both the financial investment and technical support that turned the comeback into a reality.
As the delegation prepares to take the court for the country’s first-ever regional handball competition, association leaders are calling on local sports fans to rally behind the athletes as they take this landmark step for the future of handball in Antigua and Barbuda.