Twelve members of the Indian women's junior handball team, set to compete in the U-20 World Championships in Jinzhong, China from June 24 to July 5, have been asked to pay Rs 3 lakh each for boarding and lodging expenses. The financial burden stems from the derecognition of the Handball Association of India (HAI), which has led to zero funding from the sports ministry for the tournament.
Financial Hardship for Players
Kanpur's Soumya Srivastava, whose father undergoes liver dialysis twice a week, had her brother take a loan from family and friends to fund her participation. "We had to take a loan. It is a difficult time for all of us but what can anyone do when the government does not recognise our federation," Soumya told The Tribune.
Kanishka from Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, whose father is a state forest guard, also borrowed money. "We had to borrow as well. Those who could deposit the money are going to China. There are many who could not come up with that amount and could not join us for the tournament," she said.
Inadequate Preparation
Captain Riddhima, also from Bilaspur, noted that preparations were insufficient. "We just had an outdoor training camp for a week at DAV School, Sector 8, in Chandigarh. The tournament will be played indoors. We did whatever little the team and coaches could do, like developing combination plays. We want to give our best shot," said Riddhima, whose father runs a medical shop.
Federation Blames Apathy
HAI executive director Anandeswar Pandey said they were forced to seek funds because they lack financial support. "The same Sports Authority of India funded a month-long training camp and supported the same set of players for the qualifying tournament. Now that they have qualified, SAI has not released any funds," he said.
Pandey also questioned the ministry and Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) stance of not recognising HAI as the only body recognised by the International Handball Federation (IHF). "The IHF president has twice written to the IOA that HAI is the only recognised body from India. In fact, the IOA was reminded of the IOC charter that states that the national Olympics committee has to recognise the federation that has the affiliation of the international federation. Even then they are sitting on the matter," he added.
