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Vienna (dpa) - Probably the most powerful man in German handball has surprisingly withdrawn his candidacy for the European association.
As Vice President of the German Handball Federation (DHB), Bob Hanning will stop in a few months - and the 53-year-old actually wanted to get his next official job this Friday in Vienna.
But a few hours before the Congress of the European Handball Federation (EHF), Hanning no longer wants to run for the EHF executive.
After a long meeting, he, together with DHB President Andreas Michelmann and DHB CEO Mark Schober, came to the conclusion to withdraw his candidacy, Hanning told the German Press Agency.
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Had he been elected, he would have been part of the leading EHF body for the next four years.
The problem: There are only three new positions to be filled in Europe's handball government.
And including Hanning, twelve candidates had been nominated for the three posts.
With long and numerous backgrounds, it had evidently been found that other applicants have better chances.
"In order to achieve the goal of at least two of the three open, central seats in the executive branch, I have decided to withdraw my own candidacy," he said.
Instead of Hanning, two other officials from the influential association of central and northern European handball associations are now to be elected to the committee.
«Many countries from different regions claim positions.
It has to be balanced, ”said Hanning.
In any case, a choice by Hanning would have been of great importance for German handball.
The DHB vice would have been the first German member of the EHF executive after Hans-Jürgen Hinrichs, who died in 2015.
The powerful body decides among other things rule changes or the European handball calendar.
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"We are convinced Europeans and would like to strengthen our commitment to Europe and hope to be able to be successful with these offers," said DHB President Andreas Michelmann.
Without Hanning.
After all, DHB CEO Mark Schober continues to apply for a position in a smaller EHF committee.
The elections for a total of 53 offices to be awarded should all take place this Friday.
EHF President Michael Wiederer will then also run again - as the only candidate for the chief position.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210422-99-309538 / 5
Presidium of the German Handball Federation
Board of the German Handball Federation