Lucknow: A new chapter is set to unfold in Uttar Pradesh’s sports history with the launch of the UP Pro Handball League. The league will be held from April 9 to 14 at the Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Multipurpose Hall, K.D. Singh “Babu” Stadium, Lucknow.
According to league CEO Dr. Anandeshwar Pandey and founder MD Amit Pandey, the competition will be organized under the supervision of the Uttar Pradesh Handball Association and S.N. Pandey Sports Institute Trust. Six teams representing major UP cities will compete: Kashi Kings, Mathura Braj Stars, Noida Blasters, Ghaziabad Panthers, Barbariq Warriors, and Gorakhpur Rowdies.
Each team will feature 14 players, with matches played in two 20-minute halves and a 2-minute break. International player Ankit Chaudhary will play for Noida Blasters, while Mohit Yadav will represent Barbariq Warriors. The winning team will receive ₹2 lakh, and the runner-up will earn ₹1 lakh. The league will be inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and MLA Sushil Singh, and matches will be broadcast on Doordarshan, Wav OTT, FanCode, and Sports Cast.
League brand ambassador Sabita Kalwar emphasized the need to showcase handball on the big screen, similar to cricket, hockey, kabaddi, and badminton, expressing her interest in portraying a female handball player in such a film.
Teams and Icon Players:
- Kashi Kings: Anish Yadav (Varanasi)
- Mathura Braj Stars: Kenihal Jaiswal (UP Police)
- Noida Blasters: Ankit Chaudhary (Lucknow)
- Ghaziabad Panthers: Aman Chaudhary (UP Police)
- Barbariq Warriors: Mohit Yadav (Lucknow)
- Gorakhpur Rowdies: Manish Tripathi (Gorakhpur)
The UP Pro Handball League aims to provide the sport with a new identity and inspire emerging talent across the state.
