CITY’S men’s team christened as Nagpur Tigers will open their campaign in inaugural edition of the Handball Pro League (HPL) by taking on Mumbai Mercenaries on Day One at the indoor hall of Divisional Sports Complex, Mankapur on Tuesday. HPL is the first professional men’s and women’s handball league and is being held under the aegis of Handball Association of India. Also on the opening day, in the women’s section, Nagpur Ajit Nectars will clash with Mumbai Esha’s Marvels. Two matches will be played daily in both groups. On Tuesday, Bhilai Battalions will play Bhopal Blasters (men) in the inaugural match of the tournament while Ahmedabad Angels will take on Lucknow Lioness (women).

 

Action starts at 2 pm. There are five men and as many women’s teams in fray. Top two teams at the end of league phase will directly play the final while the hard-line final will be played between the team finishing third and fourth. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is the Chief Patron of the league. Ex-Indian handball captain and Regional Director, Sports Authority of India (Retd) RK Naidu, CEO, HPL and Shiv Chhatrapati Awardee and international gold medallist R Naidu, Managing Director, have appealed sports lovers of the city to throng the venue and witness the beginning of a historic sporting movement, celebrating passion, performance, and the future of Indian handball.

 

Esha Deol to attend opening ceremony : ESHA Dharmendra Deol, Bollywood star, fitness icon and former handball player, also owner of a women’s team in the league, will be the star attraction of the opening ceremony. Dr Pankaj Bhoyar, Minister of State, Government of Maharashtra will be chief guest on the occasion. Dr Anandeshwar Pandey would be felicitated in recognition to his outstanding contribution to handball and for being the first Indian Nominated Member of the Asian Handball Federation Council. Chief Patron Kundatai Vijaykar, NDHA Chairman Babanrao Taywade, Guests of Honour Ashish Jaiswal, Minister of State, Government of Maharashtra; former minister Sunil Kedar, Chandrapur MLA Kishor Jorgewar, Vijaylaxmi Bidri, IAS, Divisional Commissioner, Nagpur; Pallavi Dhatrak, Deputy Director, Sports And Youth Services, Nagpur Division will grace the opening function. Inauguration will start at 5:30 pm.