David Tebib's schedule will get even heavier.
President of Nîmes and of the UCPH (Union of professional handball clubs), this 50-year-old entrepreneur has added a new line to an already full CV.
In August, he took over from Olivier Girault, who resigned, at the head of the NHL (National Handball League) and is acting until the next elections, early next year.
Candidate for the post of president of the FFH (French handball federation), the former captain of the Barjots left his post to devote himself to the electoral campaign.
For David Tebib, the official presentation of the season, which will be held this Thursday (2:30 p.m.) at the Maison du handball in Créteil (Val-de-Marne), will mark his first steps as the patron of professional handball.
The Starligue will begin on September 24.
Interview with the new strongman of men's handball.
Here you are at the head of the NHL after the resignation of Olivier Girault, what is your state of mind?
DAVID TEBIB.
With the health crisis we are experiencing, I fully live the present moment.
I find it difficult to project myself into the future.
That's why, don't expect me to announce my candidacy for the NHL elections in early 2021. Only the present counts in my eyes.
In the NHL, my role is to ensure continuity.
I don't want to be a leader, applying the scorched earth policy.
What is your main concern?
The main objective is to offer a competition that can go to the end.
We set up a unit with all the actors to think about all the possible scenarios.
If everyone is involved (League, clubs, coaches…), it is also to find a rule that would be accepted by all.
It is a search for fairness and clarity.
This NHL cell looks a lot like the one from the “24 Hours Chrono” series.
Where are you on the various hypotheses?
For now, we have two possible scenarios.
But it can still move.
We are coming out of a white season, we cannot afford to live a second.
The passage of the Starligue from 14 to 16 teams made it possible to absorb the health crisis.
But the coming season must be normal, with an end.
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What have you put in place to achieve this?
We have lightened the schedule by removing the Champions Trophy and the League Cup.
It is also a way to help the France team to qualify for the Olympic Games.
We have also implemented the possibility to postpone the end date of the championship.
Will the League help clubs financially?
Yes.
We have decided that all Starligue clubs will receive the same amount, 140,000 € in TV rights.
It is a united decision that will ensure the consequences linked to the health crisis.
What other work site is important to you?
It seems important to me for handball to unite the whole family.
Today, we are lucky to have the best championship in the world, or almost.
The League and its clubs are in good health despite the health crisis.
But if we want this to continue, it is even more important to work hand in hand with the Fed and all the other partners.
Exactly, what will be your position concerning the election of the Federation?
Before taking a position, I'm waiting to see the program of the three candidates
(Editor's note: Olivier Girault, the former president of the NHL, Philippe Bana, the national technical director, and Jean-Pierre Feuillan, the vice-president of the FFHB )
.
I want to say that I know them very well and I get on well with them.
What are the other projects?
We want to continue to surprise by offering attractive championships.
It's up to us to be imaginative.
The hand is evolving, the world too.
It's normal to evolve with competitions with new formats.
I also asked my teams to find a broadcasting system for the other five matches per day that would not be broadcast by BeIN Sports.
How will the NHL cope with the withdrawal of Starleague sponsor Lidl at the end of the season?
I have to meet the leaders of Lidl and we will see if they follow through on their intentions.
But in case of departure, we are in discussion with other brands.
What about the elimination of draws?
We will not be applying it this season.
The reason ?
We want to help the clubs to have the most normal and peaceful season possible.
But this subject will inevitably come back to the table.
Some have mentioned the risk of conflict of interest between your position as club president and that of the League?
I am very attached to ethics.
To avoid any risk, it is sufficient that the competition management committee or the disciplinary committee are independent.
I've been in the NHL for eight years and the problem has never arisen.
Personally, I only see advantages.
Which ?
As club president, I know perfectly well the difficulties that can be encountered. And I want to clarify that I gave up my allowances as president of Nîmes, the UCPH and the LNH. I am therefore the only completely voluntary president ...