Shortly after USA Team Handball’s recent announcement of new appointments to the Men’s National Team coaching staff I received multiple reports that Jean Brihault, the IHF’s lead on the USA New Markets Project since 2017 was no longer involved in the effort.
I contacted the International Handball Federation (IHF) for confirmation and I received, in part, the following response from Amal Khalifa, the IHF General Director:
Mr Brihault joined the IHF from the very first moment the project was launched in the USA. He was one of the main catalysts for the successful implementation of the project. The IHF and USATH appreciated his efforts and wanted to work with him to further develop handball in the USA. Unfortunately, for personal reasons, he has apologised for continuing.
We have a few other missions for Mr Brihault, in which he will certainly also participate successfully.
I also contacted Jean Brihault and he provided the following response:
Last year, I was shocked at the way the new CEO and Board President of USATH came to their positions and I was tempted to add my resignation to those of others who had resigned at the time.
I nevertheless considered that it was my duty to try and rebuild a relationship of confidence with USATH. The recent ousting of those who had been so successful at leading the US MNT and the recent choices made to replace them have confirmed my initial impression that there was a contradiction between the forms of governance now prevailing in USATH and those I am familiar with and believe in.
I therefore made the painful decision to ask the IHF President to end my mission in support of the USA New Markets Project.
Jean Brihault is a former President of the European Handball Federation (EHF) (2012-2016) and was the IHF Advisor for their New Markets USA Project from 2017 to 2025
2018 Handball Inside Interview with Jean Brihault on the USA Project: Link