World Handball Awards

It is awarded to the member federation in every two years at the IHF Ordinary Congress for particular services to the growth and spread of the sport handball in the member federation's country and/or throughout the world. 

It is presented to the individuals who have made sincere efforts in the development of handball. Badge of Merit is awarded at three levels:-

• IHF Bronze Badge of Merit
• IHF Silver Badge of Merit
• IHF Gold Badge of Merit

It is awarded to the persons who are working outside the International Handball Federation in order to acknowledge their particular contribution in promotion of the sport of handball.

It is granted to the renowned personalities as well as national & international federations by the President of IHF. The IHF Cup of Honor acknowledges the incredible contribution to the growth and expansion of handball.

The board of IHF is authorized and has an obligation to suggest to the IOC esteemed personalities for the award of Olympic Order to recognize their noteworthy contribution in the development of handball in one's own respective nation, their many years of association with the IHF and committed service to the Olympic movement.

IHF Plaque Of Merit is conferred on organisations and institutions outside of IHF for which the Council, the Executive Committee, the member federations and continental federations are all entitled to propose recipients for the awards. The award is given at two levels:-

• Gold Plaque of Merit
• Silver Plaque of Merit

It is awarded at three levels namely bronze, silver and gold:-

• Bronze Referee's Badge of Honor - It is given to all the exertive referees who have passed an international referee course and incorporated in the IHF referee list.
• Silver Referee's Badge of Honor - Awarded to all the operative referees who are included in the IHF list of best referees and have participated in a Men’s or Women’s Junior World Championship, a Men’s or Women’s Youth World Championship or a Beach Handball World Championship.
• Gold Referee's Badge of Honor - It is awarded to all those referees who have participated in the Olympics or Men's and Women's World Championships.

The referees who took part in a World Championship or Olympic handball Tournament shall receive the Referee's Diploma of Honor by the president of PRC or his representative upon cessation of their international career.

It is presented on special occasions to the individuals who have given an exceptional contribution to the sport of handball. It is made of gold and is specially engraved. The winner is decided by the Council on the request of the Executive Committee.

IHF World Player Of The Year is presented annually to the player who has performed exceptionally well in the previous season, both at the club and international competitions. The winner is decided by the votes of the fans, experts and media. The honour has been granted by IHF since 1988 in both men's and women's categories, separately.