Prior to John Ryan’s summary of the Salt Lake – Miami debacle, John emailed questions to both parties. The USATH and the ATHF.

I recently received copies of emails containing answers and comments from both Cristian Zaharia and Nick VandenBrekel. I was not copied on the answers or the questions from the USATH.

For the sake of transparency and full disclosure I am posting Mr. Cristian Zaharia’s answers to John Ryan’s questions first, followed by comments from Mr. VandenBrekel.

THN: Did USA Team Handball contact you and the LNH about the need to request sanctioning from USA Team Handball? If so, what were your responses?
CZ: John, first let me explain to everybody that this is a private endeavor and we do not need their sanctioning. We do have a professional cooperation with a Professional League doing a business. New World Sports Enterprises LLC is the promoter of this event, not the ATHF, as the probationary federation is trying to misinform everybody.

THN: Why not simply request sanctioning from USA Team Handball for the tournament?
CZ: Why should I request something that we do not need? The USATH is in probation to lead the amateur side of this sport. We are doing a professional and private business.

THN: USA Team Handball is also seeking dissolution of the ATHF. The ATHF, aside from the Miami tournament, is pretty much conceptual at this point in time. Why not simply dissolve the organization?
CZ: This is the biggest enormity I have ever heard. Since when and where can we find in the laws of this great country called United States of America, a non-profit organization is demanding the dissolution of a for profit entity? As I mentioned earlier ATHF is NOT organizing this event. It is the NWSE, but that’s beside the point. ATHF can sell balloons if it so decides tomorrow. This is telling me that this probationary non-profit entity is working in ways that remind me of the old iron curtain. What will you say if AT&T is deciding tomorrow to call Verizon and, because AT&T "decided", they will ask Verizon to dissolve?
This is the level of incompetence where these people think they are having the monopoly. And how does attempting to destroy an organization, who is promoting team handball in US and organizing the arguably the single greatest event in the history of this sport here, will further the development and the credibility of this probationary federation?

THN: Do you think, in retrospect, that the announcement of the ATHF was ill-timed? (i.e., the new USA federation perhaps saw it as a direct threat to their organization.)

CZ: Who is the "We" in the phrase, "We will not acknowledge any entity connected to the ATHF until that organization is disbanded"? Under what right do you get to make that determination? In a country of approx 300M people, do you not think there is enough room for competing federations? Or is their business model designed so that it cannot withstand any competition?

THN: The USA Team Handball notice indicates “further consequences” if there is no request for sanctioning and dissolution of the ATHF. What do you anticipate those potential further consequences might be?
CZ: What consequences? This is border line with blackmail! It seems that any club affiliated with this probationary federation will have to live in fear of being 'destroyed" if they have any dissent or constructive criticism.

THN: Do you think the IHF can effectively mediate this dispute?
CZ: IHF has no jurisdiction over this matters. IHF is mandate to take care of the federations, their National Teams and the World Championships, Pan Am Championships/Games, Asian Championships/Games (see what good job the IHF did there!?!!) and Olympic Games. I want to remind everybody that are not educated in this situation: this is a private endeavor done by a private company with a professional League. This is the USA. Are the models that are in place in the rest of the World not valid here? This is business!

THN: Are you optimistic that this dispute can be resolved?
CZ: This probationary federation should reexamine their position and take care of their daily obligation that they have assumed when they have applied for the NGB status. This country is built on cooperation between people, not exclusion and attitude. They have showed their real intentions; we have a job to finish. This is not really a dispute, the dispute is with themselves.

THN: Anything that you’d like to add?
CZ: For all those who are reading this interview let me tell you about what are we doing, PROMOTING THIS SPORT IN USA!!

We have the biggest event that ever happened in this country, and I dare to say, more focused on the sport of Team Handball than the Olympic Games.
The tickets are on sale for both the Arena and for the Internet pay-per-view. The Travel Agency is ready to take care of all of you and all your travel needs. On this very page you can see the ad. Click on it. It takes you directly to the pages where all the info is present.

We are working with big VIP celebrities to be present here and celebrate the sport for the first time at the level it should be, we have some of the best players of this World present on the floor, the Olympic Champions from Beijing.

We are also working with local charities to expose the high risk kids to this sport, to give them a chance to get out of their bad environment. We are also working with the politicians to implement this sport here, in schools. And the USATH wants to kill all this?

In their email salutation, they state: “Have a voice in handball's future. Become a member today!” Is that what you all want? The fear of being 'dismantled" as soon as you have an opinion, or doing what we are doing with private funds, lots of sweat and hard work?
Come to Miami in April, it will be the place to be or see it on internet at www.coupdelaligue.pro.

Following John Ryan’s post, the CEO and Chairman of the ATHF, Nick VandenBrekel, contacted me via email with the following statement. Here it is, unaltered.

NB: In the article on the Team Handball News site, Steve Pastorino is quoted as saying:

“The General Manager of USA Team Handball, Steve Pastorino, further elaborated on the notice via email correspondence and indicated that the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back was the ATHF press release indicating that the ATHF was sanctioning the event and was an organization with national and international credibility. Pastorino further noted that USA Team Handball was…”

The comment is particularly interesting as he is stating: "that the ATHF was sanctioning the event and was an organization with national and international credibility."

Below is an excerpt from the actual ATHF press release he is referring to:

“The first initiative of the newly created organization is to fully sanction and support the Final Four of the French Professional League Championships, LNH, Coupe de la Ligue, in Miami, April 10-11, 2009.
This initiative is to establish from the outset the National and International credibility of the ATHF in the Team Handball world, based on the past and present achievements of the founding members. For more information about the Coupe de la Ligue visit the official website at: www.coupedelaligue.pro”

As you can see, NOWHERE, in this press release does the ATHF claim to be an organization with national and international credibility. The press release says: “This initiative is TO ESTABLISH, the national and international credibility.”

Clearly before Mr. Pastorino comments on press releases it would behoove him to actually READ them first, especially as he refers to the quote as “the straw that broke the camel's back.”

It is a shame that this entire argument is based on the mistake Mr. Pastorino made in actually attempting to carefully read a press release.

Furthermore, Mr. Pastorino states that ATHF cannot represent itself as a national or international federation. I beg to differ. The dictionary clearly describes the word "FEDERATION" as a union of organizations. That is exactly what ATHF will endeavor to become. A union of Team Handball Clubs and Teams. Once again, Mr. Pastorino needs to acquaint himself with basic English and its well represented and defined meanings.

Thank you.

Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympic Games looks bleaker.
The global economic woes continue to rear its ugly faces in all the wrong places.
With funding for the London Olympics already in trouble, the US can ill afford losing a sponsor of Home Depot's ilk, while still in the running for the 2016 Olympic Games.

Spain and Brasil have to like their chances even more [link=http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2009/01/07/home_depot_olympics.html]now.[/link]

On a related note today, President Elect Barack Obama, warned that a "[link=http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/08/transition.wrap/index.html
]bad situation could become dramatically worse[/link]".

Not exactly what the IOC and the world would like to hear.
And should President Elect Barack Obama make a plea in person for the 2016 US Olympic bid(as Tony Blair did for the Brits), he would certainly have to do an about face this coming October.

Marko Brezic (he of the USA WNT head coach), was missing in action following his unsuccessful trip to Mexico City, where our beloved WNT lost all their games in what everyone hoped to be the beginning of a new era.

Just after Christmas he and I had chance to catch up. His schedule has been hectic. "Frustrating!" he sighed.

I was pleased to learn that the NGB had given him the reigns of the WNT for the duration. Not sure if "interim" was removed from his title yet but the decision made by the NGB braintrust to allow him to continue his work at the helm of the WNT is commendable.

Marko and I go back a few good years. For those of you who do not know him, Marko is what USA Team Handball needs. A man of principles, soft spoken yet a good communicator. Handball is his life… I worked with him in Houston when he pulled double duty as the coach and player for a number of our teams.

Now that he received the stamp of approval from the NGB, I sensed that he is at peace with the work he was entrusted to perform. I asked him what he needs in order to turn the WNT program around. "Time and lots of patience" – he replied. I asked him if the NGB was buying into that. He said that it did.

Marko now lives in Salt Lake full time. Far away from his family in Croatia, 2009 looks to be overwhelming for him, as he is set to recruit new talent and to begin work on rebuilding a WNT that has fallen victim to mismanagement, way too many times.

One of the best hires of the new NGB, Marko Brezic hates the snow in Salt Lake City: "I hate losing more than I hate snow! Quote on me on that."

Bogdan: You know, most of us have become circumspect of empty promises of team handball success and grass roots development. Why, or how, will the ATHF be any different?

[color=#ff0000]Cristian: As you already know we do have a different approach and communication capacities, plus, the most important, CREDIBILITY. ATHF philosophy is to have the competent people in all the departments, not surrogate or want-to-bees, also to create a solid foundation where the competition, the innovation, the ground work will make the difference. I do know a lot of places in US schools with enthusiastic PE teachers, teaching kids this sport. Because of the traditional 'Ivory tower' mentality they do not have a coordinated effort to be together with some other schools, etc. That's what we will establish, through the communication factor, where it will be easy to find some other schools in your area which, in turn, encourage and help the establishment of regional amateur leagues, county schools competitions (not like others), etc. That will be the power of ATHF through Iamsport![/color]

Bogdan: How about I throw some tougher questions your way? No more softballs, as my colleague John Ryan likes to call some of my early querries. Are you ready for some fastballs? I think the US audience deserves some honest answers. How about it?

[color=#ff0000]Cristian: I thought we are here for Team handball not for softball (a non Olympic sport) but bring it on! [/color]

Bogdan: How exactly can a sports federation be for profit? (and for whose profit?) (John Ryan and Bogdan Pasat)

[center][img]/docs/ATHF.jpg[/img][/center]

[color=#ff0000]Cristian: Tell you what! I will direct your questions to the President/CEO and Chairman of the ATHF, Mr. Nick VandenBrekel. After reading your questions I feel that he is better suited to directly and accurately answer them. Note that we do "allow" our President to answer direct questions. Wink, wink.[/color]

[color=#6600ff]Nick: The American Team Handball Federation is a for profit entity. A federation is defined as a union of organizations and that is exactly what the ATHF will be. The principal founder of the ATHF, The IAMSPORT Holdings Group, felt strongly about not hiding behind the banner of a non for profit organization. These days most references made to non-for profits are as misplaced as their agendas. Team Handball in the United States has had enough of that through almost 7 decades of its presences in America.[/color]

Bogdan: Mr. President, thank you. This next question has come up already and it seems to get a lot of mileage from the THN readers. Has there really been no coordination with the New Federation on this endeavor? Was there any consideration into putting a bid in for the Collegiate Nationals to be play ed in Miami at the same time? (John Ryan, Shkumbim M)

[color=#6600ff]Nick: There has been no further coordination with the New Federation on this endeavor because, quite simply, there was no middle ground to be found in regards to how Team Handball should grow in the future. The new NGB for Team Handball lacks funding, still has provisional USOC status and seems to display no innovation vis-a-vis its business plan. It lacks a profound understanding of the new century and its communication tools of choice. Amongst current teens and young adults it has been clearly determined that lives will be lived through the tools of networking and social community. That’s where you engage in a grass roots movement and build a sports organization. We don’t need more of the same and the ATHF will move aggressively towards an innovation that Team Handball has not seen in this country before.[/color]

Bogdan: Hosting this event at the AA Arena is just as big of a surprise as is bringing the LNH to Miami. However, the Ligue Cup has struggled to fill very modest sized venues in France. (e.g., 2006, Stade de Coubertin in Paris, perhaps 1,500 fans in 4,000 seat venue– I know, I was there) how will a 20,000 seat venue in the USA be anywhere near filled? (John Ryan)

[color=#6600ff]Nick: I appreciate your comments on the venue size. Having the 2009 Coupe de la Ligue event at the American Airlines Arena is not only ambitious but at the same time it makes a true statement for how serious the organizers and their partners are about re-introducing Team Handball in this country. We have the support of the Miami Heat organization, French Consulate, Fortune 500 retail support and a marketing machine that will promote this tournament not as just another Team Handball event but a historic sports event, the likes the USA has never witnessed before. It is a concerted effort between global marketing and the power of the Internet. Also do not forget that this is a cultural event as well. There are over 50,000 French expatriates in the Miami area alone. Like with any event, marketing is the key and we are well positioned to take advantage of the excitement that is being generated.[/color]

Bogdan: How about the schedule? The Friday afternoon before Easter is a less than ideal time to stage a match. Why is it scheduled for that date? (what are the times of the matches exactly?) (Jeff Smith and John Ryan)

[color=#6600ff]Nick: The scheduling before Easter is irrelevant in as much as the fact that most of the viewing will occur as a live streaming event on the Internet. The date was chosen between the availability of the Arena and the scheduling of the LNH; On Friday the matches will play at noon and 5pm. On Saturday the schedule is the same. The finals will play at noon and the All Star game will play at 5pm. Throughout the event there will be a Team Handball Championship Village outside and throughout the arena filled with cultural, retail and hospitality presence. Even the prestigious Art of the Olympians will be exhibiting a large art show during the event.[/color]

Bogdan: After checking Ticketmaster’s on line pricing for this event I have to ask: how were the ticket prices determined? Notably, it’s possible to see the French National team in Paris for 1/3 of the prices being offered. (John Ryan)

[color=#6600ff]Nick: The ticket prices were determined in conjunction with the Heat Organization, Ticket Master and local research. I understand that one may see the French National Team in Paris of 1/3 of the price but this is not Paris. This is Miami and not just any Coupe de la Ligue. We are confident that pricing will not be a deterrent for people watching the matches live in Miami. It is for that reason we have the live Coupe de la Ligue Pay-Per-View broadcast on the internet for merely $25.00. The Championship will be broadcast in Super Definition akin to High Definition.[/color]

Bogdan: Who is financially at risk for this endeavor? Is the risk mutually shared between the LNH and the New World Sports organization? (John Ryan and 4 others).

[color=#6600ff]Nick: The organizers, LNH and the main broadcast partner IAMSPORT Broadcasting Network are all at risk. Nothing worthwhile ever happens without people sticking their necks out and taking the entrepreneurial dive in the deep water. This tournament has been a long time coming and all involved believe the rewards are well worth the risks.[/color]

Bogdan: Does the LNH/ New World Sports/ATHF see this endeavor as a long term strategy? In other words, willing to lose money in the first few years, but eventually the return on investment will pay off. Note, this has been the strategy with the NBA, NHL, NFL and other American attempts (some successful) to market their sports overseas. (John Ryan, Bogdan Pasat). Sorry, to sound so negative, but we want to maintain credibility so some tough questions had to be asked.

[color=#6600ff]Nick: This endeavor is clearly part of a long term strategy. To just put on a onetime event makes for interesting promotion but does absolutely nothing for Team Handball in the United States for the long term. The ATHF will utilize the Coupe de la Ligue as its official kick off and it is more than willing to make the investments required to execute on a strategy that will accomplish a strong growth of both amateur and professional Team Handball in the United States.
I am not faulting your readers for sounding negative. I don’t see it that way. I believe you are being conservative and guarded because of what the past has shown. Credibility is what we will achieve with the ATHF and through events such as the Coupe de la Ligue. It’s long overdue that the tough questions were not only asked but also answered with fervor and optimism.
Last but not least let’s not forget which organization is truly backing the ATHF. The IAMSPORT Holdings Group is a powerful sports entity that has been involved with and responsible for the entire Olympic communication network since the mid nineties. As a principal investor in the ATHF, IAMSPORT is committing funds that are in the millions of dollars and is making available the wide breadth of its technologies to support the rapid growth of the ATHF. Currently the IAMSPORT Social Athletes Network is the fastest growing community in the world. By the end of 2009 over 50 million athletes will be part of the IAMSPORT network. It is the FaceBook/MySpace and YouTube all wrapped into one for athletes with one major twist: it is commercial and advertising free. The community is free to join, its email service is free to all users. IAMSPORT wil l create web portals for all ATHF members, including free email services. Additionally through the IAMSPORT Broadcast Network, ATHF members will have access to live streaming of games, tournaments and events. There is a lot to be excited about right now![/color]

to be continued…

[b]Following yesterday's announcement regarding the creation of a new US team handball federation, ATHF, I was able to secure an interview with someone I have been chasing for a long while. He is one of the principals behind the new Federation and the main force behind the upcoming French League Final. Ladies and gents, Coach Cristian Zaharia![/b]

Bogdan: Coach, thank you for taking the time to speak with me. You are a hard man to get a hold of!

[color=#ff0000]Cristian: Hello Bogdan. Yes it is tough to get a hold of me. As you know I am working hard on the Coupe de la Ligue, Miami 2009. I also have been working to bring together the right people for the new Federation, ATHF.[/color]

Bogdan: For those who don’t know who you are, would you mind introducing yourself as well as your achievements?

[color=#ff0000]Cristian: To start with I am original from Romania but actualy I am a proud American citizen. As an Athlete I have arrived to the higest level, played more than 300 games with the Romanian National Team, played professional in 4 different countries, Sweden, Germany, France and off course Romania.
As the Head Coach of USA Men's National Team, I have won the Bronze Medal at the 2003 Pan Am Games in Dominican Republic. I have created from scratch the Miami Sharks Club here in Miami, and within 2 short years we came within few 7M shots of winning the 2004 National Title, the famous 3 day competition.
As a player, I do have a Bronze Medal at the World Championship in 1990, also I am an Olympian, 8th place at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games. National Champion in Romania, and Sweden, MVP, etc, etc.
I have also been involved in the bid for the NGB with ATHA but unfortunately it didn't work out, where we could understand the exact value of each individual so we can create the best avenue for success.
The latest achievement is bringing of the first ever official proffesional competition in USA, the Final Four of the French LNH Coupe de la Ligue. The event will be played in Miami, at the American Airlines Arena, April 10-11, 2009, home of NBA’s Miami Heat. Tickets are on sale now for both the live Arena games at [link=www.ticketmaster.com]www.ticketmaster.com[/link] (search 'handball') and for the Internet Broadband access at [link=www.coupedelaligue.pro]www.coupedelaligue.pro[/link]. This is a private endeavor that will hopefully be supported by everyone so that it will turn into a huge success, which will be beneficial to all the true passiona te team handball people.[/color]

[center][img]/docs/ATHF.jpg[/img][/center]

Bogdan: There is so much to cover. With such an impressive resume, I noticed you left out your coaching qualifications.

[color=#ff0000]Cristian: Regarding my coaching qualifications, towards the end of my professional career as a player I also was the assistant player/coach, learning from the best of the best in business. Beng Johanson, Cornel Otelea, Thierry Anti, Horst Bredemayer and the list continues.
As for my US coaching career, I have taken Mark Ortega from not knowing at all about this sport, to another level where he now plays professionally in Norway’s 1st Division!
Along my one and half year as the Head Coach of the USA MNT, I have promoted a lot of young players. Among them Gary Hines. As a side note, the first time I have asked about him, the "specialists" of those times, told me that he was not good. If I remem ber correctly, the term "flaky" was used to describe him. Ironic, isn't it!
Regarding the rest of my coaching merits… it is still a developing chapter with more to come. Let's talk about some other subjects.[/color]

Bogdan: Fair enough. Given your experience and results why (or who) is it that you are not involved more at the US National level. The previous NGB pushed you aside after bringing home the last US international medal to date. The current one did not even contact you until a month or so ago… Do you think this is personal?

[color=#ff0000]Cristian: Listen, I do not want to enter into a speculative war of words with anybody, I am guessing all of the administrations, passed or present, had or have their reasons or logic.
What saddens me is that all of them have forgotten their original intent. To care! I do not know the specifics but based on my personal experience, there are their personal interest. I have mine too.
ATHF is comprised of PROVEN WINNERS and I am honored and grateful to be associated with such great individuals who, even though the sport of team handball was not their first choice, they have listened to my passion, did their research and decided to bring their expertise, dedication, experience and discipline forward and apply i t to the foundation of this new organization.
I am sure there will be a lot of questioning from the so called "specialists" ( they’re everywhere). ATHF is already doing something that nobody did it before. Next year in Miami, in April, some of the best of the best players on the globe, will be here. I hope everybody will come to see this event and get a glimpse of where we want to take this sport.
It is easier to understand when you see it with your own eyes. I can tell you a million stories but when you can 'touch it", experience it for yourself – you will be hooked for the rest of your life![/color]

Bogdan: You keep coming back to the ATHF. Why a new Federation?

[color=#ff0000]Cristian: Because the previous and the current NGB, did the same, over and over again, each time hoping for a different outcome. I have gone on record many times telling everybody how the actual way of doing things is wrong, yet they are doing the same. We need to create a system where you need to have real experienc e in this sport so that were we are addressing the base. It seems that all these administrations want is the cherry on top… but there is no cake to be had!
I am a strong proponent and I encourage the adults to play this sport but the answer lies with the grass roots development. The ATHF has a plan and a strategy which we will unveil soon. Watch for it.[/color]

Bogdan: I know that the current NGB has refused to work with you. I will also note that it is difficult to go about describing the current handball situation without getting into politics, past, present and future. Since there is no way avoiding it, I will just have to ask you: Would you consider working with a Federation who does not share in your vision and has no handball knowledge and credibility? Can there be compromises?

[color=#ff0000]Cristian: I am focusing all of my knowledge, expertise and my energy, along with that of my partners – and all of those who will understand our values – on making ATHF as succesfull as I know it can be. I have worked for way too many years, over 30 to be exact, to build up my credibility and my reputation. I will not waste it on something that I do not believe is going to produce the end result I am looking for. Everything else is pure speculation and I will let the "specialists" interpret it..[/color]

Bogdan: So, no compromise I guess. You have the brain and the talent. You have the credibility and you have also managed to singlehandedly bring the Final Four of the French Ligue to Miami. Talk about what that means to you and to team handball in the US and tell us about the All Star Game…

Cristian: [color=#ff0000]Following the end of my very successfull professional career, I have always dreamt about getting the USA to become the team handball power that it should be, given the pool of athletic talent (perfect for team handball) existent in this country that, unfortunately, gets is wasted every year. I have hoped that my involvement (or better yet – my partial involvement) with the other administrations will bring about this development.
The fact that I was able to understand the real implications and dynamics of the sport of team handball, along with the existent system – from the inside – has helped me to build the best team with some of the best visionaries who will contribute with their intelligence of this business.
The Final Four of the Coupe de la Ligue 2009 and the All Star Game, both to be held here in Miami at the American Airlines Arena, are a huge building block for the future of ATHF and US team handball overall. The global implications are already evident. The French Professional League has become a very well known and respected League in Europe and abroad. The IHF and other Governing International Bodies, coupled with various local political authorities, have all been very supportive.
It is my full intention to deliver an All Star Game, that will showcase the talent existent in Pan America but I currently I am still waiting for an offical answer from the Pan American Federation. What is certain, is that the window of opportunity for the All Star game participants is getting smaller every day and if an agreement cannot be reached, I will have to go to Plan B, another surprise in itself.
I know that the young kids who will be attending the two day event at American Airlines Arena as well as those who will watch the games over the Internet, will be fascinated by the sheer beauty of the game. I have no doubt that these very same kids will eventually become fans and players of team handball, while their parents will become the coaches, refs or the support staff that the ATHF will embrace and nurture.
Lastly, a message for those clubs out there who will be or wish to be affiliated with the ATHF (their choice of course). Know that a successful Miami event will instantly translate into many fringe benefits to those affiliated with ATHF. We will address these and other topics in due time.[/color]

to be continued…