Handball Pro League in Nagpur from February 10

Nagpur: Come February 10 and India's best handball players will gather at the Mankapur Indoor Stadium to play the 6-day Handball Pro League (HPL). The 10-team HPL, carrying Rs 50 lakhs prize money, can also witness as many as 20 international players.The auction of Indian players in both the men's and women's sections was held recently at a city hotel, where 70 in-team and 35 standbys were identified, informed Rajesh Naidu, MD of the HPL. A total of 5 teams each in the men's and women's sections will fight for the winners' prize fund of Rs 10 lakh in both categories.Naidu also disclosed the names of the team owners and coaches while briefing the media on Wednesday. He said, "In the men's section, teams from Nagpur, Mumbai, Wardha, Bhilai and Hyderabad will be in action. In the women's group, owners from Nagpur, Mumbai, Chandrapur, Ahmedabad and Lucknow joined the HPL as the 5 franchisees."Roopkumar Naidu, former India captain and CEO of the HPL, said, "A minimum of Rs 25 lakh was spent by each owner. All the franchisee owners can add a maximum of 2 international players. Negotiations with the international clubs are under process. If all the team owners add 2 players, then a total of 20 international stars will join the HPL."Babanrao Taywade, the chairman of the Nagpur District Handball Association (NDHA), said, "Once Nagpur was the mine of handball players. With the inaugural HPL season, handball will help in reviving the sport. Our aim is to again produce international stars from Nagpur, and HPL is the biggest opportunity for players to showcase their talent."From February 10 to 15, a total of 24 matches will be played in the league. 4 matches a day are scheduled to be held over the 6-day inaugural season of HPL.