Cape Verde Withdraw from Handball Championship Due to COVID-19

The International Handball Federation has officially announced Monday that Cape Verde has withdrawn from competing in the 2021 Handball World Championship which is held in Egypt.

The Cape Verde team have missed the last match against Germany due to the team's inability to provide 10 players due to the outbreak of Corona virus among the national team members.

The IHF issued a statement saying: "Following the challenges the Cape Verdean delegation faced at the 27th IHF Men’s World Championship, which already led to the cancellation of the match Cape Verde versus Germany Sunday, Cape Verde have officially informed the (IHF) that they withdraw from the event,"

"The IHF have accepted their withdrawal, which safeguards the health of all stakeholders involved in the World Championship," the Federation added.

"In accordance with Article F 7. c of the Egypt 2021 COVID-19-Related Regulations, each team needs to have a minimum of 10 players including one goalkeeper,"

"As Cape Verde still face difficulties fielding at least 10 players to be able to compete according to the regulations, they decided to withdraw," the statement went on.

Cape Verde's matches will be counted as 10:0 forfeit victories for their opponents in the last preliminary round game and the President’s Cup, with the opponents claiming two points, according to the statement.

Finally the Federation affirmed that the necessary arrangements will be taken for the team to return home.

Cape Verde team confirmed their willingness to work hard to make sure to qualify and return to the 28th IHF Men’s World Championship, co-hosted by Sweden and Poland in 2023.