Women’s handball league announced

New Delhi, February 6

Buoyed by the improving results of the Indian women’s handball team, the Handball Association of India has announced plans to hold a first-ever professional Women’s Handball League (WHL).

Set to be held from January 2025, the league will feature athletes from the Middle East, South East, Europe and Africa and has the backing of the Asian Handball Federation.

The inaugural season will likely see participation from six teams. Bader Mohammed Al-Theyab, who is the vice-president of the International Handball Federation and finance director of the Asian Handball Federation, said that the league will be added to the international calendar from 2025.

“We are proud to be part of this historic moment as we launch India’s first Women’s Handball League. By joining forces with Pavna Sports Venture (rights holders) and the Asian and international bodies, our aim is to elevate the standard of women’s handball in India and provide our athletes with a world-class platform to compete at the highest level,” said league chairman Anandeshwar Pandey.

The Indian women’s team won the Asian Presidents Cup title in Jordan last year while the junior team won a historic gold at the Asian Junior Girls Championship and qualified for the World Championship last year. At the Asian Games in Hangzhou, the women’s team finished a creditable fifth.