Premier Handball League (PHL) is India's men's professional handball league.[2][3][4] The league is an initiative between the Handball Association India (HAI) and Bluesport Entertainment Private Limited. Premier Handball League uses a franchise-based model. It is sanctioned by South Asian Handball Federation and affiliated with Asian Handball Federation.[3]
 | |
| Sport | Handball |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2020 |
| Founder |
|
| First season | 2023 |
| Motto | It's a Different Ball Game |
| No. of teams | 6 |
| Country | India |
| Confederation | Asian Handball Federation |
| Most recent champion(s) | Maharashtra Ironmen (2023)[1] |
| Most titles | Maharashtra Ironmen (1 title) |
| TV partner(s) | |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| International cup(s) | AHF Handball Championship |
| Tournament format | Round-robin, Knockout |
| Official website | Official website |
 2023 PHL | |
History
editThe Premier Handball League encompasses six franchises, each representing cities across India. The teams were officially announced at a press conference in Jaipur.[5] The first season is being held between 8 and 25 June 2023 at Sawai Mansingh Indoor Stadium.[6][7]
The first auction to purchase players for each franchise was held on 23 April 2023.[8][9][10]
Teams
edit
Rajasthan
Patriots
Patriots
Golden Eagles
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Garvit Gujarat
Delhi Panzers
Locations of the Premier Handball League clubs
| City | Team | Debut | Owner(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyderabad | Telugu Talons | 2023 | Abhishek Reddy Kankanala |
| Jaipur | Rajasthan Patriots | 2023 | Shiv Vilas Resorts Private Limited |
| Lucknow | Golden Eagles Uttar Pradesh | 2023 | Iconic Olympic Games Academy |
| Ahemadabad | Garvit Gujarat | 2023 | R. K. Naidu |
| Mumbai | Maharashtra Ironmen | 2023 | Punit Balan |
| Delhi | Delhi Panzers | 2023 | Vineet Bhandari, Rajat Agarwal, Sailesh Arya |
Winners
edit| Year | Winner | Runner-up | Score | Finals Venue (surface) | City | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Maharashtra Ironmen | Golden Eagles Uttar Pradesh | 38-24 | Sawai Mansingh Indoor Stadium, Jaipur [11] | ||
References
edit- ^ https://www.mykhel.com/more-sports/premier-handball-league-2023-maharashtra-ironmen-crowned-champions-of-first-ever-season-220121.html [bare URL]
- ^ "Jaipur to host the inaugural season of the Premier Handball League". Hindustan Times. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Premier Handball League: Format, squads, fixtures – what you need to know about new competition". Scroll.in. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ "Premier Handball League: Little-known sport hopes to raise its game in new avatar". ESPN. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ "Inaugural edition of Premier Handball League slated to be held in Jaipur, December 24 onwards". www.knocksence.com. 7 December 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
- ^ "Premier Handball League 2023 Auction: India Internationals draw strong attention from all teams". sportstar.thehindu.com. 25 April 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ "All you need to know about Premier Handball League 2023". thebridge.in. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ "Premier Handball League 2023 Auction: Full List of India & Overseas Players Bought, Complete Squads of 6 Teams". www.mykhel.com. 25 April 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ "Premier Handball League 2023 Auction: India Internationals draw strong attention from all teams". sportstar.thehindu.com. 25 April 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ "Telugu Talons and Delhi Panzers join Premier Handball League". The Times of India. PTI. 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ^ "Maharashtra Ironmen crowned champions of the first-ever Premier Handball League". The Times of India. 25 June 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 20 July 2023.