With not up to two months till the season opener of the inaugural Premier Handball League (PHL), sanctioned via 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 adventure. After Maharashtra Ironmen, PHL has introduced that Golden Eagles Uttar Pradesh and Garvit Gujarat have grow to be the second one and 3rd franchisees of the inaugural version of the league, respectively.
The staff from Uttar Pradesh will likely be owned via the Pavna Group of Industries from Aligarh, headed via Mr. Swapnil Jain, who serves because the Managing Director of the entity. Mr. Jain has a willing pastime within the fields of schooling, sports activities, business, and social paintings and has been actively running against contributing to society in more than a few manners. Prior to Golden Eagles, Mr. Jain’s outstanding funding in sports activities got here within the type of Ascus Cricket, which manufactures cricket bats and related equipment.
Speaking about his resolution to be part of the Premier Handball League, Mr. Swapnil Jain, Managing Director, Pavna Group of Industries, mentioned, “Handball is a well-liked game, and most faculties in India have incorporated it as part of their sports activities curriculum. But with time, its reputation has light. We intend to make sure handball regains its glory, and via becoming a member of arms with PHL, we are hoping to succeed in this function. We, as an organization, had been invested in sports activities apparatus production for a very long time, and we need to make a distinction within the lives of the early life via bringing them nearer to the sport.
On the opposite hand, Garvit Gujarat is a first-time funding in sports activities via Garvit Sports Private Limited (GSPL) headed via former India global Mr. Roop Kumar Naidu, who serves because the Founder and Director of the group. Mr. Naidu’s affiliation with handball dates again to the yr 1979, and he used to be additionally part of the primary Indian Handball Team to make its debut in a global pageant in the similar yr. During his occupation between 1979 and 1987, Mr. Naidu additionally went directly to constitute India on the 1982 Asian Games held in New Delhi.
Post his retirement from skilled sports activities, Mr. Naidu has persisted contributing to the Indian wearing ecosystem in more than a few capacities. He has been part of the Selection Committee for Handball as an SAI/Govt Observer from 1990–97 and has additionally served as a sports activities administrator for over 3 many years at SAI, New Delhi.
Speaking about his affiliation with the Premier Handball League, Mr. Roop Kumar Naidu, Founder and Director of GSPL, mentioned, “I have been a part of the handball ecosystem of India since the beginning. Handball has been waiting for its moment in the sun for a long time, and the Premier Handball League is that opportunity. Having played the sport at the highest level, it is my opportunity to give back to the sport and help it find its needed recognition.”
He additionally added, “Gujarat was an automatic choice for me when it came to picking teams. I was the Director of SAI, Western Region, Gandhinagar (Gujarat) from 2013 to 2017. During my tenure, handball had consistently become one of the medal winners for the state of Gujarat at the national level. Taking over the Gujarat franchise of the Premier Handball League gives me another opportunity to contribute something positive to the handball ecosystem of Gujarat and entertain handball lovers from Gujarat.”
“We would like to welcome Mr. Roop Kumar Naidu and Mr. Swapnil Jain to the Premier Handball League family. While building a league, it is important that each block fall into place, and to begin with, it is important that all stakeholders have an aligned vision. I am glad that Mr. Naidu and Mr. Jain strongly believe that the moment is right for handball in India, and PHL is going to pave the way for bringing handball to the forefront of Indian sports. both teams the best as we inch closer to the business end of the tournament,” mentioned Manu Agrawal, Founder and CEO of Bluesport Entertainment Private Limited.
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 at the Viacom18 community on JioCinema, Sports 18-1 (HD & SD) and Sports 18 Khel.