ISF WSC Handball – Skopje 2026 Opens
Apr. 21, Skopje, North Macedonia – The ISF World School Handball Championship – Skopje 2026 was officially opened this evening in Macedonia Square, in the presence of high-level national and international representatives.
The ceremony was attended by the President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova; the Minister of Sport, Borko Ristovski; the Mayor of Skopje, Orce Ǵorǵievski; ISF President Željko Tanasković, as well as representatives of the Handball Federation of North Macedonia; the leadership of ISF and Macedonian School Sport Federation, alongside key stakeholders, partners, and members of the school sport community.
Bringing together more than 600 participants from 20 delegations, the championship marks the first time North Macedonia hosts an ISF World School Championship. Competition will begin on 22 April across six venues in Skopje, with all matches broadcast live on ISF TV and the ISF YouTube channel.
During the ceremony, speakers including the Minister of Sport, the Mayor of Skopje, and the President of the Macedonian School Sport Federation Elena Mickovska emphasised the role of sport in education, youth development, and social cohesion. They highlighted handball’s strong tradition in the country and underlined the importance of investing in young people through sport as a foundation for the future.
In his address, ISF President Željko Tanasković welcomed the delegations and highlighted the values at the heart of school sport: “Sport has a unique power to unite us as a global family. It teaches us to compete with fairness, respect and sportsmanship, both on and off the court. I wish all athletes to enjoy every moment and take home unforgettable memories from North Macedonia.”
In her keynote address, President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova underlined the broader societal significance of sport, linking handball to national identity, unity, and shared values:
“Handball is more than a sport — it reflects our collective spirit. Through discipline, teamwork and mutual respect, sport helps shape responsible individuals and strengthens the bonds within our society.”
She then officially declared the ISF World School Handball Championship Skopje 2026 open.
All 20 delegations have now arrived in Skopje and begun their preparations, with teams ready to compete and engage in a week of sport, education, and cultural exchange.
The Opening Ceremony was broadcast live by Macedonian Radio Television, reflecting the strong national support behind the event. This high-level engagement demonstrates North Macedonia’s commitment to youth sport, the development of future generations, and the role of international school sport in building connections across cultures.
