Anirudh Menon7 minute read
Beyond the marketing lines of the tournament, if executed well, there seems to be a consensus that the Premier Handball League will make a difference to the sport in India. PHL Media
First of all, what is the Premier Handball League?
A franchise-based handball league modeled on the Indian Premier League and Pro Kabaddi League. Led by Bluesport Entertainment, six teams will compete in the inaugural season. It will be held from June 8th to 25th at Sawai Mansingh Indoor Stadium in Jaipur.
A women’s league is planned for next season.
Who are these six teams?
The Delhi Panzers, Rajasthan Patriots, Garvit Gujarat, Golden Eagles Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra Ironmen and Telugu Talons.
How is the handball ecosystem in India?
Most players start playing handball in schools, especially in Haryana, Punjab and Delhi. Quite a few choose the sport because it offers the dual benefits of an Olympic sport and the opportunity to get a good (government) job – the defense forces and the railways have strong handball teams.
Internationally, India’s performance has been rather poor. India competed in five of the ten Asian Games handball editions (including the last four) but never finished above 8th place (and that was in 1982).
The Indian men’s team has participated in the Asian Games in five of the ten editions where handball was played (including the last four), but never finished higher than 8th place (and that was in 1982).BIJU BORO/AFP via Getty images
Meanwhile, the women’s team has only competed in the last four editions (out of eight) at Asiad, and their best result has also been eighth place. They never qualified for the Olympics or the World Cup.
However, the current captain (and goalkeeper) of the Indian team and the Rajasthan Patriots, Atul Kumar, insists the talent is absolutely there… that there is no unbridgeable gulf in proficiency between India and any other country.
If not a lack of talent, what’s stopping them?
For one, the circumstances. Internationally, the sport is played indoors. All major competitions, from the Olympics to the World Championships to the Asian Games, are played on Taraflex floors with rubber balls.
In India, however, handball is played almost exclusively outdoors – on open, muddy fields, with leather balls.
Wait a minute, that’s almost like practicing a completely different sport!
It absolutely is.
From the speed of ball movement (on the ground and in the air) and the way you dribble, to the type of shots and defenses, everything changes. As Atul says, “It’s about as different as practicing cricket with a tennis ball and then playing it with a leather ball… In fact, even more so.”
Can the PHL make a difference?
Beyond the tournament’s marketing lines, there seems to be a consensus that if executed well, the PHL will make a difference.
The noticeable effects can be seen in various aspects:
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infrastructure – The PHL is played on Taraflex flooring, with rubber balls and the players. This brings obvious advantages.
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Regular competition – Currently this is very limited in India. “I’ve been an Indian player for ten years,” says Atul. “I’ve only competed in ten competitions for India and I’m a regular in the team.”
Things are slowly improving, he says, as the federation has been sending the team on more field trips in recent years.
Meanwhile, the national championships are the only major national competition in which everyone participates. while those employed by the defense forces also participate in the inter-departmental championships and the railroads participate in the inter-railway championships. A few invitational competitions may be organized informally, but nothing is planned.
The PHL would become the first such league – and the players excited about European club handball (the top division) can’t help but be excited at the prospect.
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support staff – Deepak Ahlawat of Delhi Panzers and former captain of the Indian team raves about the personal attention his club gives in the pre-tournament camp. “We have four people with us at all times to take care of our every need.”
There are physiotherapists, masseurs and nutritionists. “Players need a clear head – it’s not just about financial security, but also knowing that there are physiotherapists and others who give us constant support. Normally we would never have the certainty that an injury would be 100% fixed because we would have taken everything into our own hands, however [there’s some confidence now].”
“I would consider that hygiene,” says Abhishek Reddy, owner of the Telugu Talons (and PVL team Hyderabad Blackhawks). “These are fundamental things that have to happen. Without.” [players]”We don’t have a team or a league.”
Adds Reddy, “Many players don’t have access to a year-round coach, some don’t even have regular playing partners.” These are areas that the owners focus on. Like the players, they believe the raw talent is there: it just needs help. Atul, for example, learned new goalkeeping techniques on YouTube.
To remedy this, part of the plan is to hire foreign coaches who can introduce different techniques and coaching methods.
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growth accelerator – Deepak says the PHL will get more players to take up the sport. Simply because it offers them an end goal. How many people can the services or the railways hire for handball, he asks rhetorically.
This opportunity is also an important driver for franchise owners. Reddy says: “With the large population that we have, cricket cannot be the only sport.” [He wants to] Introduce and create as many opportunities for children as possible. You may not be good at cricket, but that doesn’t mean you’re not good enough [to play sport].”
“It’s not enough to just go to the grassroots and create something,” he says. “The moment you turn on the light and show it on TV, there’s a sexiness.” [and an awareness] to the sport and kids can imagine playing in that league… it gives them a vision.”
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sight range – As Deepak says, “When you go to your hometown and a bunch of people look up to you and say, ‘I saw him play, I saw him on TV’… an athlete becomes very happy.”
Deepak Ahlawat, former India captain, says the PHL will get more players to start playing the sport because the league gives them an end goal. PHL Media
But… how financially sustainable is it?
Most franchise owners in the league also own teams in other leagues (like Reddy) and they understand that financially this is a long-term game. “We know our numbers,” says Punit Balan, owner of the Maharashtra Ironmen (and eight other multi-sport franchises). “In the first year itself, you will not make any profits. But we are trying to break even or keep the loss to a minimum.”
“We’ve seen PKL: how it started and where it is today,” he says. “Only those who can stay permanently should be there [as franchise owners]. You can’t come in today and get out in two years. You have to persevere for five years and only then will we see the results.”
Building up the infrastructure is now another long-term process. “I’m struggling to get a stadium [for training] that’s 40×20,” says Reddy. “…but we’ll make it!”
The common factor that unites owners, organizers and players is this hope. Oh, and the sheer excitement of starting something new, something better.
handball 101
What are the rules?
Think soccer, but with smaller goalposts (2m x 3m) and absolutely no use of the feet (deliberate use of any part of the body below the knee is a foul – unless you’re a goalkeeper). The aim of the game is to get the ball into the goal.
The pitch is 40m x 20m – with goals in the middle of each end. There is a 6m (20ft) zone around each goal where only the defending goalie is allowed – you must score from outside (or when diving into) this zone.
How long does a game last?
Sixty minutes; with two halves of 30 minutes separated by a 10 minute break.
How many players are there in a handball team?
Each team consists of seven members (six outfielders and a goalie) and there are unlimited substitutes. There are also two referees standing diagonally next to each other.
How do you move the ball?
A player may not take more than three steps without shooting, passing or dribbling the ball. However, dribbling here is all about bouncing the ball and then catching it (not basketball-style dribbling). You can only stand with the ball in your possession for three seconds – and you cannot pass it to yourself.
Who are the traditional world powers in handball?
France is the most successful country in men’s handball (three Olympic gold medals, six world championships). Qatar, who won silver at the 2015 World Championships, is actually the only non-European men’s team to ever win a medal at any of the major events.
2020 Olympics podium: 1st France, 2nd Denmark, 3rd Spain
2023 World Cup podium: 1st Denmark, 2nd France, 3rd Spain
In Asia, Qatar is the dominant new force (it has won the Asian Cup the last two times), but the traditional superpower is South Korea (a six-time Asian Cup gold medalist).
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