Pavna Sports Venture has officially launched the first professional Women’s Handball League (WHL) in South Asia, set to take place in India. This groundbreaking initiative is accompanied by a substantial investment of over INR 100 crores, aimed at fundamentally enhancing the sport’s grassroots development across the country over the next three years.
The WHL is set to be organized with the support of the South Asian Handball Federation, the Asian Handball Federation, and the Handball Association of India. Pavna Sports Venture, holding the official licensing rights for the WHL for the next decade with an option to extend for another ten years, is committed to incorporating international exchange programs. These programs are designed to offer Indian women athletes comprehensive developmental opportunities, providing them with the exposure and experience needed to succeed both domestically and internationally.
Priya Jain, Executive Director of Pavna Industries and Chairperson of Pavna Sports Venture, emphasized the company’s dedication to women’s empowerment through sports during a press conference. She outlined the strategic investment aimed at creating a supportive ecosystem for women’s handball, aspiring to elevate the league to a leading position in India’s women’s sports scene. Jain highlighted the league’s financial strategy, aiming for profitability within five to six years, and announced plans to kick off the league by January 2025, focusing on building a self-reliant and flourishing model.
This financial injection is expected to bolster grassroots initiatives, including infrastructure enhancement, talent scouting, and the improvement of coaching standards. The inaugural league will feature six teams, with top-tier players from regions such as the Middle East, South East, Europe, and Africa, promising to deliver a diverse and competitive handball spectacle.
Anandeshwar Pandey, League Chairman of the Handball Association of India and Secretary General of the South Asian Handball Federation, expressed pride in this landmark achievement, viewing the WHL as a critical step towards advancing women’s handball in India. The league aims to provide a premier platform for athletes, in collaboration with Pavna Sports Venture and international federations, to elevate the sport’s standards within the country.
With over 300,000 female participants in handball from various institutional and professional backgrounds, the WHL is poised to transform the landscape of women’s handball in India. It aims not only to provide a platform for showcasing talent but also to cultivate future champions in the sport.
