Jaipur Gears Up for Prestigious Women's Handball Championship
The sporting spotlight turns to Jaipur as the city prepares to host the 20th All India Hanuman Singh Women's Handball Tournament for the 2025-26 season. This highly anticipated event is scheduled to commence at the iconic Sawai Mansingh Indoor Stadium on Thursday, marking a significant moment for women's sports in India.
Dignitaries and Officials to Grace Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony, set for 5 PM on February 26, will witness the presence of distinguished guests. Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, the State Minister of Youth Affairs, Sports, and Industry and an Olympic silver medallist, will serve as the chief guest, adding prestige to the occasion. He will be joined by Lalit Kumar Kalal, President of the Rajasthan State Handball Association (RSHA), and Sachin Choudhary, Head Coach of the Indian women's handball team.
Honoring a Legacy Through Sport
According to Yash Pratap Singh, Honorary Secretary of RSHA, this competition is organized by the Rajasthan State Handball Association and the Hanuman Singh Foundation under the aegis of Handball Association India. The tournament is held in memory of the late Hanuman Singh, a revered state employee leader and an efficient sports administrator, whose contributions continue to inspire the sporting community.
Elite Teams and Tournament Structure
Ten top-tier teams from across the nation will compete for glory in this championship. The participating teams include:
- Hosts Rajasthan
- Himachal Pradesh
- Punjab
- Haryana
- Delhi
- Uttar Pradesh
- Northern Railway
- BSF
- CISF
- LPU-Phagwara
The teams have been divided into two competitive pools to ensure a balanced and thrilling contest. Pool A consists of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, CISF, LPU-Phagwara, and Delhi. Pool B features BSF, Northern Railway, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab.
League-Cum-Knockout Format and Awards
The tournament will follow a league-cum-knockout basis, promising intense matches and strategic gameplay. The standout performer of the competition will be honored with the prestigious Hanuman Singh Trophy, recognizing excellence and sportsmanship.
Match Schedule and Team Details
Action begins on Thursday morning with a series of exciting fixtures:
- LPU-Phagwara vs Delhi
- Rajasthan vs Uttar Pradesh
- BSF vs Northern Railway
- Himachal Pradesh vs Punjab
- CISF vs Delhi
- BSF vs Haryana
- Northern Railway vs Punjab
- Rajasthan vs CISF
- Uttar Pradesh vs Delhi
- Northern Railway vs Himachal Pradesh
The Rajasthan team, led by captain Pooja Kanwar, boasts a talented squad including Varsha Jakhar, Rukmani Bithu, Rekha, Kashish Sharma, Norti Kumari Mewada, Rekha Chaudhary, Mamta, Kajal Gurjar, Pooja Jat, Kanika Roy, Mansi Rawat, Rekha, and Guddi. The team is supported by coach Manisha Rathore, physio Prerna Harsh, SNC Paramdeep Singh, and psychologist Malaika Gupta.
This tournament not only showcases elite handball talent but also reinforces the growing prominence of women's sports in India, fostering competition and camaraderie among the nation's best athletes.
