Part 2: Olympic Handball Ireland and the Question of Democracy in Irish Sport

The 2024 presidential election of Olympic Handball Ireland (OHI), held during the December Annual General Meeting (AGM), has raised concerns about whether the process upheld basic democratic principles. Key procedural gaps—including unclear nomination rules, restricted candidate visibility, and a lack of transparency—have raised serious concerns about the fairness and openness of the process. The election resulted in the re-election of the same individual who had already remained in office for two terms over the past 17 years—without undergoing the required re-election process—putting the procedural validity of the entire process into question.

Leadership Continuity

“You’re elected for a number of terms, and you don't have to get elected every single term. That’s the way it works,” Fintan Lyons said when questioned about his continued role despite missed elections for two times. No disciplinary action followed this admission. Instead, the board attributed the oversight to "human error" by the Secretary and chose to keep him in place as a co-opted president despite the OHI Constitution not allowing co-option for the presidency—allowing him to continue signing official documents and representing OHI at national and international levels. At the 2024 AGM, he stood for re-election, seeking an 18th consecutive year in office, even though part of his tenure did not follow the constitutionally required process.

Barriers to Candidacy

It was well known in the handball community, and confirmed to Irish Handball News, that two members had planned to run for the OHI presidency. However, only one—Boris Selak from Dublin International Handball Club—ended up on the ballot. A third potential candidate, Balazs Bihari, later withdrew. While his reasons were not officially confirmed, several people familiar with the situation said he had shared that he struggled to get the necessary support from his club, Astra Handball Club. According to sources close to the matter, Andrea Ongaro was reported to have expressed support for Fintan Lyons ahead of the election. It is also notable that Ongaro—the founder of Astra holds multiple key positions within OHI and his own club for years.

Although candidates were told they needed club backing to run for president—even in past elections—the OHI Constitution does not require it. Article 8.3.3 only states that nominations must be submitted in writing to the Secretary at least 14 days before the AGM, with no mention of club endorsement.

With only five clubs holding voting rights and a sixth vote belonging to the board, this informal rule—despite having no basis in the Constitution—appears to have discouraged wider participation, particularly from independent or reform-minded individuals not aligned with the current leadership.  Lyons was ultimately re-elected with five out of six votes, despite unresolved procedural concerns and limited opportunity for open debate or accountability.

Lack of Transparency in the Electoral Process

Moreover, the election process lacked standard democratic features. No candidates—either for president or for board roles—were invited to present manifestos, speak at the AGM, or answer questions. The only exception was Fintan Lyons, who, despite serving as a co-opted president, was given the floor to address members and clubs, while his opponent, Boris Selak, was not given the opportunity to speak. Voting took place without open discussion or access to candidate information—further reducing transparency and engagement.

While some athletes confirmed that emails were sent by both candidates to the clubs with voting rights, the election process fell short of democratic standards.

Governance Standards and Need for Reform

These practices appear inconsistent not only with OHI’s Constitution—which gives election authority to the member clubs—but also with Sport Ireland’s Governance Code, which calls for open, inclusive, and accountable decision-making in all publicly funded sports bodies.

Sport governance scholar Dr. Jörg Krieger warned “Democracy in sport is not just about holding a vote,” he notes. “it’s about ensuring the process is fair, competitive, and inclusive—so all candidates can be heard.” Without open nominations, informed voting, and equal opportunity to present, members are left with little influence over leadership decisions.

Overall, the circumstances of the 2024 election raise serious questions about how democratic the process truly was. The lack of candidate visibility, unclear rules for nominations, and absence of transparency in how candidates were approved or rejected all point to deeper structural weaknesses. If individuals like Balazs Bihari felt unable to run due to internal resistance or informal barriers—then urgent reforms are needed. These must ensure that all members, regardless of club affiliation or internal connections, have a fair chance to participate in the leadership of their sport.

These concerns are not unique to Irish handball. In the book Athletes Pressing Charges: Fighting for the Future of Modern Pentathlon, Dr. Jörg Krieger highlights that limiting terms in office is a key pillar of good governance in sport. He cites democracy researcher Sunder Katwala, who warns that presidencies lasting beyond eight years risk creating a dangerous concentration of power. Krieger also references Francesco Ricci Bitti, President of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), who has publicly called on international sports bodies to adopt term limits to strengthen their governance practices.

He further reinforces this point by citing the Action for Good Governance in International Sports Organisations report, edited by Jens Alm, which states:

“Without term limitations, individuals in power can enjoy advantages over challengers due to their seniority in the position. Moreover, those in power are gradually losing touch with their communities, and therewith properly contested elections prevent a concentration of power and contribute to the generation of new strategies.”

The quiet reaction at the September meeting—where the board explained key decisions that lacked constitutional support—revealed a deeper issue, one that became even more evident at the AGM. Many members were unfamiliar with the sport’s governance history, as one attendee acknowledged: “A lot of people there were relatively new to the sport who do not know the history of the association and the levels of obstruction of the clubs over the years and wrongdoing.” Others lacked a clear understanding of their rights and of their own memebers who are represented though them, under the Constitution and Sport Ireland’s governance standards.

In this context, Krieger’s findings in sport governance remind us that comprehending history is essential, as it "helps us understand the current structures and policies that are in place." Without this knowledge, he warns, members and athletes may not recognise when governance failures occur—or know how to challenge them. This lack of awareness, he adds, can prevent meaningful change and slow the development of the sport.

The next article will examine how the involvement—or absence—of clubs, athletes, and members has shaped the current state of governance in Irish handball, including their role in the 2024 election process.