NEW DELHI: Despite prolonged uncertainty caused by the ongoing handball federation dispute, India’s senior women’s handball team will participate in the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, while the junior women’s side is set to travel for the World U-20 Championships in China next month by paying from their own pockets.
TOI has learnt that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has decided to clear the senior women’s team for the Asian Games after determining that the side fulfills the sports ministry’s eligibility criteria for participation. While individual athletes must be ranked among Asia’s top six, teams are required to be among the continent’s top eight in their respective sports. India’s women’s handball team is currently ranked fifth in Asia. The men’s team, ranked 10th in Asia, will not be sent.
IOA Seeks IHF Guidance on Faction Recognition
During the IOA executive committee (EC) meeting on Wednesday, it was decided that the IOA would write to the International Handball Federation (IHF) seeking guidance on which faction it should deal with for the Asian Games selection process. The IOA will also suggest the possibility of forming an ad-hoc committee to conduct trials and select the team if required.
“On the IOA website, we have given recognition to HFI. It was told to the IOA that both HAI and HFI would merge into one body, but that has not happened. Based on what the world body tells the IOA, we will act accordingly,” a source said.
The development comes amid a long-standing dispute between the Handball Association of India (HAI) and the Handball Federation of India (HFI), both claiming to be the legitimate governing body for the sport. The IOA’s decision to seek IHF’s input is aimed at resolving the impasse and ensuring a fair selection process for the Asian Games.
The women’s team’s participation is a significant achievement given the administrative turmoil. The junior women’s team, meanwhile, is preparing to travel to China for the World U-20 Championships, with players bearing the costs themselves due to lack of funding from the federations.
