With lower than two months till the season opener of the inaugural Premier Handball League (PHL), sanctioned by the South Asian Handball Federation and affiliated with the Asian Handball Federation (AHF), two new groups have grow to be a part of the PHL journey. After Maharashtra Ironmen, PHL has introduced that Golden Eagles Uttar Pradesh and Garvit Gujarat have grow to be the second and third franchisees of the inaugural version of the league, respectively.
The group from Uttar Pradesh will likely be owned by the Pavna Group of Industries from Aligarh, headed by Mr. Swapnil Jain, who serves because the Managing Director of the entity. Mr. Jain has a eager curiosity within the fields of schooling, sports activities, trade, and social work and has been actively working in direction of contributing to society in varied manners. Previous to Golden Eagles, Mr. Jain’s distinguished funding in sports activities got here within the type of Ascus Cricket, which manufactures cricket bats and related equipment.
Talking about his choice to be part of the Premier Handball League, Mr. Swapnil Jain, Managing Director, Pavna Group of Industries, mentioned, “Handball is a well-liked sport, and most colleges in India have included it as part of their sports activities curriculum. However with time, its reputation has pale. We intend to make sure handball regains its glory, and by becoming a member of fingers with PHL, we hope to realize this objective. We, as an organization, have been invested in sports activities gear manufacturing for a very long time, and we want to make a distinction within the lives of the youth by bringing them nearer to the sport.”
Alternatively, Garvit Gujarat is a first-time funding in sports activities by Garvit Sports activities Personal Restricted (GSPL) headed by former India worldwide Mr. Roop Kumar Naidu, who serves because the Founder and Director of the organisation. Mr. Naidu’s affiliation with handball dates again to the yr 1979, and he was additionally part of the primary Indian Handball Staff to make its debut in a world competitors in the identical yr. Throughout his profession between 1979 and 1987, Mr. Naidu additionally went on to symbolize India on the 1982 Asian Video games held in New Delhi.
Put up his retirement from skilled sports activities, Mr. Naidu has continued contributing to the Indian sporting ecosystem in varied capacities. He has been part of the Choice Committee for Handball as an SAI/Govt Observer from 1990–97 and has additionally served as a sports activities administrator for over three many years at SAI, New Delhi.
Talking about his affiliation with the Premier Handball League, Mr. Roop Kumar Naidu, Founder and Director of GSPL, mentioned, “I’ve been part of the handball ecosystem of India for the reason that starting. Handball has been ready for its second within the solar for a very long time, and the Premier Handball League is that chance. Having performed the game on the highest stage, it’s my alternative to present again to the game and assist it discover its wanted recognition.”
He additionally added, “Gujarat was an computerized alternative for me when it got here to choosing groups. I used to be the Director of SAI, Western Area, Gandhinagar (Gujarat) from 2013 to 2017. Throughout my tenure, handball had constantly grow to be one of many medal winners for the state of Gujarat on the nationwide stage. Taking on the Gujarat franchise of the Premier Handball League offers me one other alternative to contribute one thing constructive to the handball ecosystem of Gujarat and entertain handball lovers from Gujarat.”
“We’d wish to welcome Mr. Roop Kumar Naidu and Mr. Swapnil Jain to the Premier Handball League household. Whereas constructing a league, it is crucial that every block fall into place, and to start with, it is crucial that every one stakeholders have an aligned imaginative and prescient. I’m glad that Mr. Naidu and Mr. Jain strongly imagine that the second is true for handball in India, and PHL goes to pave the way in which for bringing handball to the forefront of Indian sports activities. I want to want each groups the most effective as we inch nearer to the enterprise finish of the event,” mentioned Manu Agrawal, Founder and CEO of Bluesport Leisure Personal Restricted.
The inaugural season of the Premier Handball League is about to kick off on June 8 and run till June 25, 2023, which will likely be broadcast on the Viacom18 community on JioCinema, Sports activities 18-1 (HD & SD) and Sports activities 18 Khel.