First-Ever Women’s Handball Tournament on the Ganga in Kashi

Varanasi: In a unique initiative promoting sports and women’s empowerment, a women’s handball tournament will be organized for the first time on the sandy banks of the Ganga in Kashi. The event is being hosted by the UP Adventure Sports Club, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s slogan “Kheloge Toh Khiloge” and the broader vision of encouraging women’s participation in sports.

Chairman of the competition, Dr. A.K. Singh, announced that the tournament will take place on April 14 from 8:00 AM onwards at the sandy stretch of the Ganga in front of Math Garhwa Ashram in Varanasi.

According to the organizers, 96 women handball players will participate in the competition, including 14 national-level athletes, making it a significant sporting event for the region.

Preparations for the tournament are already underway. On Saturday morning, JCB machines were used to level the sandy ground, after which several workers removed stones and gravel from the sand to ensure a softer and safer playing surface for the athletes.

Organizers have stated that the playing field will be fully prepared by April 10. Officials from the Uttar Pradesh Handball Association will visit the venue on April 11 and 12 to inspect the arrangements. Additionally, a practice match will be held on April 13 to identify and address any remaining issues before the main competition.

The tournament is expected to bring a new sporting dimension to the ghats of Kashi while highlighting the growing participation of women in competitive sports.