The World Handball League (WHL) is more than just a tournament; it's a movement. We aim to foster the growth and popularity of handball by providing a structured and competitive platform for teams and players across India. Specifically, we are dedicated to empowering women handball players, giving them a platform to showcase their talent and achieve international recognition.
The WHL is an initiative of Pavna Sports Venture Pvt. Ltd., a proud member of the Pavna Group, a conglomerate with 50 years of experience in innovation, technology, and market leadership. Pavna Industries, a leading 2-wheeler OEM company listed on BSE and NSE, is a testament to our commitment to excellence. Pavna Sports Venture is dedicated to nurturing excellence in sports, playing a pivotal role in the nationwide development of handball in India, a dynamic sport with 40 years of play and a thriving community of 50,000+ registered players and coaches.
Handball, the fastest Olympic sport, is played in over 180 countries by 19+ million people worldwide. Nations like Germany, Denmark, and others boast significant handball participation. In India, handball debuted in 1972, and our women's team made their international debut in 1987. Today, it thrives across age groups, supported by expert coaching and state-level bodies.
Indian women's handball is making history! From hosting the Asian Handball Women’s Championship in 2024 to winning gold medals at the South Asian Games and the Asian Junior Girls Championship, our teams are proving their prowess. The Indian Women's Handball Team is the best team of South Asia, winning both editions of the South Asian Games in 2016 and 2019. We are proud to provide a stage for these exceptional athletes.
The inaugural WHL season will feature 6 teams, each with a roster of 16 players (10 Indian, 4 Asian, 2 International). The league will consist of 33 matches, including 30 round-robin games and 3 knockout matches, played over 18 match days. Matches will feature two 30-minute halves with a 10-minute break.
We are proud to partner with leading organizations, including Sports 18, Jio Hotstar, Gerflor, MeraHoardings, and Red FM. The WHL is conducted under the aegis of the South Asian Handball Federation, with guidance from the Asian Handball Federation and support from the Handball Association India.
The inaugural WHL season will feature 6 teams, each with a roster of 16 players (10 Indian, 4 Asian, 2 International). The league will consist of 33 matches, including 30 round-robin games and 3 knockout matches, played over 18 match days. Matches will feature two 30-minute halves with a 10-minute break.