Transcarpathian Hungarian handball talent program achieves international success

The Hungarian Handball Federation and the GENIUS Foundation, in collaboration with Franz Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian University, have achieved significant milestones in their youth talent development program in Transcarpathia. During the 2025/2026 academic year, the network of 20 Handball Talent Points across the Bereg, Ung, and Máramaros–Ugocsa regions provided professional training to 808 children across five age groups.

A key highlight of the program was the formation of the Rákóczi GENIUS Selected team in January 2026. From a pool of 104 registered players born in 2012–2013, 26 athletes were selected to join the squad. The team participated in a sports camp in Beregszász and competed internationally at the III. “Without Borders” Handball and Cultural Festival in Dunajská Streda.

The 12-member team represented various talent points, including Beregszász, Uzhhorod, Mukachevo, and Khust, demonstrating the regional connectivity of the program. The initiative aims to provide high-level training and foster connections among young Hungarian athletes in the Carpathian Basin.