Himachal Pradesh on the way to its second medal in Khelo India 2022 for Handball

New Delhi, Jun 9: Himachal Pradesh girls handball team’s 43-12 victory over Bengal has opened gates for the Himalayan state to earn its second medal in Khelo India 2022. Handball team skipper Bhawana Sharma’s combination with playmaker Jassi was the highlight of the team’s victory over Bengal in a Pool A match. Himachal Pradesh’s only medal so far in the Khelo India 2022 has come from the boys Kabaddi team.

 

 

 

 

The girls' victory came out as a statement of the team’s determination to go the distance. After the maiden medal for the boys Kabaddi team, the girls’ Handball team of Himachal Pradesh is boasting of four internationals and oozing with confidence after a good start. The team is hoping to strike gold at the same venue.

 

 

 

 

 

Bhawana said, "it helps that along with fellow-internationals Sanjana and goalkeeper Chetana Sharma, Bhawana and Jassi and a few others are all products of the Handball Nursery in Morsinghi, Bilaspur. “That we have been together for close to three years has worked to our advantage." Bhawana was the team’s highest scorer but she appreciated the role played by the playmaker in creating opportunities for her upfront.

 

Bhawana said about the victory, "Jassi is selfless in passing the ball for me to score. Her sense of timing is superb, and she feints superbly. I like the understanding that we share on and off the court. It helps our team.” The fans in the arena got to see some of that magic when Jassi passed the ball forward, though there was no eye-contact with Bhawana. Jassi said, “I knew instinctively that Bhawana would be at hand to collect the ball and score without any fuss. I think it such moments of magic that makes us the team we are.”