Junior Girls National Handball Championship: Rajasthan win bronze medal in Lucknow

Jaipur: Rajasthan girls gave a superb performance in the 47th Junior Girls National Handball Championship to jointly secure third position and won the bronze medal at the KD Singh Babu Stadium in Lucknow.

Rajasthan and Maharashtra ended up semi-finalists. The winner of the five-day competition was hosts Uttar Pradesh, while Himachal Pradesh stood as runners-up.

Honorary secretary of Rajasthan State Handball Association, Yash Pratap Singh informed that Rajasthan defeated Orissa 25-5 and Jammu and Kashmir 21-5 in their league matches. In the pre-quarterfinals, Rajasthan thumped Gujarat 21-17 (HT: 8-8) to book their last-eight berth.

They maintained their fine show and ousted Delhi 25-17 (HT: 14-7) to enter the semi-finals, where they went down fighting 16-20 against Himachal Pradesh.

The coach of the Rajasthan team was Priyadeep Singh Khangarot, handball coach of Rajasthan State Sports Council.

Rajasthan State Handball Association President Harish Dhandev and honorary secretary Yash Pratap Singh said that this is a proud moment for the state. There is a wave of joy among the handball players, officials, sports lovers etc. of the entire state.

Congratulations to the players, coaches and sports staff of the team as well as the officials of the State Handball Association on this achievement. He announced a cash prize for the team. They will be felicitated in a ceremony organised in Jaipur soon.

Rajasthan handball girls team: Aarti (Captain), Kashish Sharma, Tanu Sharma (Jaipur Handball Academy), Naurti Mewada, Tina, Pooja Jat, Mamta, Muskan, Chetna Sharma, Seema Meena, Maya (Jaipur), Nikita Godara (Dulmana Handball Academy-Hanumangarh), Raj Kanwar (Churu), Jyoti (Sriganganagar), Krishna Kalal (Banswara), Kusum (Karauli), Juveria (Tonk), Mahima (Sikar). Coach: Priyadeep Singh Khangarot, Manager: Pooja.