The Brazilian Handball Confederation has announced the name of the new coach of the Brazilian senior men’s handball team, Professor Washington Nunes. During the internal meeting of the Presidency, Sports Management and Technical Department, the President of CBHb prof. Manoel Luiz confirmed Nunes as the name chosen to take over the selection in the following commitments: the World Championship in Egypt in January and the Pre-Olympic qualifiers in March 2021.
– We strongly believe in Washington’s ability. We also firmly believe in the abilities of our handball players. We think that this decision will certainly create the conditions for us to win the long-awaited competition of the Brazilian men’s selection at the games in Tokyo „, commented the selection of the president of CBHb, Manoel Luiz.
Already known to the general public, Washington led Brazil in the historic campaign at the World Cup in Germany and Denmark in January 2019, which resulted in achieving a great 9th place. He left his position after participating in the Pan American Games in Lima in August 2019, and now, returning to lead the national team, his main goal is to secure an Olympic position in March next year.
– We at CBHb think a lot and come to the conclusion that Washington’s return to the position of coach is the best and most consistent choice. Washington is a highly trained coach and knows this group of players better than anyone else. Together, they started this cycle and achieved a historic 9th place at the last World Cup. It was this placement that gave us the opportunity to participate in the pre-Olympic qualifications. We are convinced that this professional staff, together with the athletes, will work intensively on the expected participation in the games in Tokyo „, explains Fernando Pacheco, sports manager.
With the postponement of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, for 2021, the calendars of the International Federations have also undergone some adjustments and modifications.
- At the moment, we are all worried about the return of athletes to regular activities. We support the fact that everyone can physically return and work hard in their clubs. And the fact that we have the World Championship before the pre-Olympic qualifiers will be extremely positive because we will be able to check the team in the highest level competition and see what we can do, accordingly, in the pre-Olympic qualifiers, says Washington Nunes.
The obligations of the Brazilian men’s selection will begin in January 2021 by participating in the 27th World Cup in Egypt from January 13 to 31, which will feature 32 national teams for the first time. Just to remind you, Brazil placed second in the South Central American Championship held in Maringá-PR in January 2020.
After that, the national team will go to Norway to participate in the pre-Olympic qualifications between March 12 and 14, 2021, with the goal of participating in the Games in Tokyo. Pre-Olympic tournaments for women and men have been postponed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but venues and groups have been retained. Brazil will fight for two places with Norway, Chile and South Korea.
Together with Professor Washington Nunes, the professional staff will consist of: Hélio Lisboa Justino and Diogo Castro as assistants, Cláudio Machado as a physical fitness trainer, Gustavo Barbosa as a physiotherapist, dr. Gustavo Rocha head of the Medical Department and Cláudia Mota as supervisor.