IT TOOK a World Handball Day to unite various factions that were serving city’s handball in some way or the other. Once a pride of city, the level of handball touched nadir as politics played spoilsport. On the World Handball Day that is celebrated on June 23 across the globe, past and present administrators, international and national players and trainers assembled at Yashwant Stadium, where they once learned nuances of handball — said to be among fastest outdoor sports. The huge gathering might be a signal of good times coming again for handball. The function started with paying tributes to Milkha Singh and national champion goalkeeper Sanjeevani Joshi.

 

Respects were also paid to Hansaben Kamdar, mother of former players Dr Viraal and Vipin. Current players present on the occasion, displayed their skills with the ball. Dadoji Konddev Awardee Sitaram Bhotmange, Milind Makde, Dr Atmaram Pande, Inderjit Singh Randhawa, Dr Sunil Bhotmange, Pankaj Kothari were among prominent personalities present on the occasion. Dr Bhotmange, who is presently secretary of the Nagpur District Handball Association, declared that due to some personal reasons he intended to step down from the post and proposed name of former Indian captain and retired Regional Director of Sports Authority of India Roopkumar Naidu. His father Sitaram also appreciated and seconded the move.

 

A committee was formed for a four-year period from 2021-2025. The committee: President Vipin Kamdar, Secretary Roopkumar Naidu, Treasurer Pankaj Kothari, VP Dr Atmaram Pande, VP Atul Durugkar, VP Dr Sunil Bhotmange, VP Lata Mudliar, VP Adv Sachin Sambre, Jt Secy Pawan Meshram, Jt Secy IS Randhawa. Members: Dr Lalita Randhawa, Tiwari, Arup Bhowmik, Anita Bhotmange, Suresh Gurnule, Upendra Varma. Patrons: Atal Bahadur Singh, Kundatai Vijaykar, Sitaram Bhotmange, Dr Babanrao Taywade, Prof Sudhakar Kalbande. Rajkumar Naidu and Dr Viraal Kamdar were nominated to Advisory Committee. Speaking up his mind after the nominations, Naidu promised to bring handball’s glory days back and said that the new committee will work hard in unison to get best facilities for national and international players of the district.