Hans Baumann (handball)
Hans Baumann (1906 – 7 February 1971), was a Swiss architect and sports administrator who was one of the founding members of the International Handball Federation. He served as the second President of the International Handball Federation (IHF) from 1950 to 1971. He currently holds the record of serving longest term as the head of the IHF (21 years).
His Excellency Hans Baumann | |
|---|---|
| 2nd President of International Handball Federation | |
| In office 9 September 1950 – 7 February 1971 | |
| Preceded by | Gösta Björk  |
| Succeeded by | Paul Högberg |
| Vice-President of International Handball Federation | |
| In office 11 July 1946 – 9 September 1950 Serving with Charles Petit-Montgobert  | |
| President | Gösta Björk |
| Preceded by | Office created |
| Succeeded by | Charles Petit-Montgobert Palle Kristensen  |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1906 Basel (Switzerland) |
| Died | 7 February 1971 (aged 64–65) Basel (Switzerland) |
| Cause of death | Heart attack |
| Nationality | Swiss |
| Occupation | Sports Administrator |
| Profession | Architect |
Biography
Born in Basel, Baumann is architect by profession. He was elected as IHF President in the 3rd IHF Congress held in Vienna (Austria) on 9 September 1950 and succeeded Gösta Björk (Sweden).[1] Then onwards, he was continuously elected unopposed as IHF President until his death. He also served as the Vice-President of IHF from 1946 to 1950 along with Charles Petit-Montgobert (France) under the presidency of Gösta Björk (Sweden). He was also a member of management committee of Swiss Handball Association since 1939.
Baumann's main aim was to see handball again on the Olympic Programme which he also completed but not able to witness it himself. He died due to heart attack in Basel (Switzerland) on 7 February 1971, one year and a half before the Olympic Handball Tournament in Munich.
After his death and seeing his great contribution to the development of handball worldwide, the IHF Council and Royal Spanish Handball Federation together created an award named Hans Baumann Trophy which would be awarded biannually during IHF Congress to the member federations for their outstanding contribution to the development of Handball in their country or through world. In 2016, the award was re-established and renamed by IHF Council as IHF President's Development Award.
References
- "IHF Presidents". IHF.
| Preceded by Gösta Björk |
IHF President 1950 - 1971 |
Succeeded by Paul Högberg |