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Pavna Sports venture launches South Asia’s Women’s Handball League in India
Mumbai: Pavna Sports Venture have announced the launch of South Asia’s inaugural professional Women’s Handball League (WHL) in India and will be making a significant investment of Rs 100 crores which will be strategically allocated over the next three years to drive revolutionary grassroots development of the sport in India.
The WHL will be organised under the auspices of the South Asian Handball Federation, the Asian Handball Federation, and supported by the Handball Association of India.
As the official licensee holders, Pavna Sports Venture also plans to integrate foreign exchange programs as a crucial part of its grassroots development initiatives to provide a holistic development platform for Indian women players wherein the necessary exposure and experiences will be provided to make their name in the sport both in India and globally.
Pavna Sports Venture executive director of Pavna Industries & chairperson Priya Jain shared the plans in detail during the press conference of the league announcement, “As a business group, Pavna Sports Venture is a strong advocate of women empowerment and we believe sports is a crucial tool to facilitate the growth of an individual in many aspects. Our investment of Rs 100 crores will contribute to establishing an inclusive ecosystem that empowers women’s handballs to thrive and secure a premium position within Women’s Sports Leagues in India. Drawing insights from the success trajectories of other sports leagues in the country, we have a long-term vision for the Women’s Handball League and expect it to achieve financial profitability within the next five to six years as per our projections. We are aiming to launch the league by January 2025 and are focused on creating a self-sustaining model with robust foundations that can prosper without relying on external financial support.”
The financial commitment will play a pivotal role in stimulating key areas at the grassroots level such as infrastructure development, talent identification, and the creation of high-quality coaching facilities.
With six teams set to compete in the inaugural edition, the league will feature prominent players from the Middle East, South East, Europe, and Africa who will enhance the league’s diversity and competitiveness to create a spectacle of best-in-class Handball action for fans across the country.
“We are proud to be part of this historic moment as we launch India’s first Women’s Handball League. This league is a significant step forward in our mission to promote and develop women’s handball across the country. By joining forces with Pavna Sports Venture and international Handball federations, we aim to elevate the standard of women’s handball in India and provide our athletes with a world-class platform to compete at the highest level. This league marks the beginning of a new era for women’s handball in our nation,” stated Handball Association of India & Secretary General of South Asian Handball Federation league chairman Anandeshwar Pandey.
Women’s handball in India has been on the rise with over 300,000 girls and women actively engaging in handball across various levels in India, representing schools, colleges, universities, CISF, CRPF, Railways, Services Sports Control Board (Army, Navy, Airforce), Sports Authority of India, Sports Promotion Board, and more.
The WHL promises to be a game-changer for women’s handball in India by not only providing a transformative platform for players to showcase their skills but also creating future champions.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
