University of Rajasthan Revives National Handball Championship After 12-Year Hiatus
The University of Rajasthan Sports Board is set to host the prestigious All India Inter-University Handball Men tournament from April 21 to 25 at the University Sports Complex in Jaipur. This marks a significant return of the national-level competition to the university campus after a gap of twelve years, reigniting the sporting spirit among participants and spectators alike.
Grand Inauguration and Tournament Details
The tournament poster was officially unveiled by Vice Chancellor Prof Alpana Kateja during a ceremony on Monday. The event was attended by key figures including Organising Secretary Dr Pratibha Singh Ratnu, Sports Board Secretary Kuldeep Dhankar, and Chairman SN Pareek, among others. Addressing the media, Dr Pratibha Singh Ratnu confirmed that preparations are in full swing, with teams from various states already arriving at the university grounds.
The competition will follow a league-cum-knockout format, with sixteen teams divided equally into four groups. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the knockout phase, ensuring intense and competitive matches throughout the five-day event. A total of 32 matches are scheduled, promising non-stop action for handball enthusiasts.
Distinguished Guests and Group Allocations
The tournament will be inaugurated at 5 pm on Tuesday by a panel of esteemed personalities: para swimmer and Padmashree awardee Dr Satyendra Singh Lohiya, former Olympian and Arjuna awardee Gopal Saini, and Vice Chancellor Prof Alpana Kateja. The Physical Education Department has assured that all arrangements for grounds and accommodation are complete, with the campus buzzing as teams from across India converge.
Group allocations have been finalized as follows:
- Pool A: Guru Nanak Dev University (Amritsar), University of Engineering and Management (Jaipur), Manipur University, VIT Vellore
- Pool B: Karpagam Academy of Higher Education (Coimbatore), VBS Purvanchal, Lovely Professional University (Phagwara), Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (Gwalior)
- Pool C: University of Rajasthan (Jaipur), HP University (Shimla), Annamalai University (Chidambaram), LN Mithila University
- Pool D: University of Science & Technology Meghalaya, Periyar University (Salem), Saurashtra University (Rajkot), Punjab University (Patiala)
Notably, the Rajasthan University team, which clinched the West Zone inter-university title, has been placed in Group C, adding local excitement to the tournament. As more teams arrive over the next two days, the competition is expected to reach its full potential, showcasing top-tier handball talent from universities nationwide.
