Pavna Sports Venture has announced the launch of South Asia's first professional Women's Handball League (WHL) in India. The company plans to invest over Rs 100 crores over the next three years to promote grassroots sports development in India.
With support from the Asian Handball Federation and the Handball Association of India, the league will be managed under the direction of the South Asian Handball Federation. With a decision for an additional ten years, Pavna Sports Venture will have exclusive licensing rights for the Women's Handball League for the next ten years. The firm intends to incorporate international exchange programs into its grassroots development activities as the official licensee holder. This would give female Indian athletes the exposure and experiences they need to become popular within the sport both nationally and internationally. The inaugural edition of the league, featuring six teams, aims to elevate women's handball.
Prominent athletes from the Middle East, South East, Europe, and Africa will play in the league, enhancing its competitiveness and diversity. Priya Jain, the head of Pavna Sports Venture and executive director of Pavna Industries, expressed her long-term goals for the Women's Handball League. Within the next five to six years, they expect it will become financially profitable, building a self-sustaining model that won't need financing from outside. The league plans for its inaugural season in January 2025.
