Indian handball players forced to borrow Rs 3 lakh each to participate in U20 World Championship in China: Report

Young Indian handball players had to borrow large sums of money on their own to travel for the Women's U-20 World Championships that will take place in China. According to a report in the Dainik Jagran, 12 members of the squad had to borrow Rs 3 lakh each as most of the players came from largely humble backgrounds.

The 2026 Women's U20 Handball World Championship takes place in Jinzhong in China from June 24 to July 5. India are among the 32 teams that will participate in the competition. Indian squad left for China on Monday.

Administrative mess led to this issue

According to the report, the situation occurred due to the lack of an administrative body for the sport in India. Since there is no recognised national body for the sport, sports ministry and the Sports Authority of India refused to sanction budget for the team.

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Last year, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) had allotted budget for the handball team to travel for the Asian Championship. However, this year, despite the calls for help from Handball Association of India (HAI), SAI did not sponsor the trip.

The handball association thus directed players to arrange Rs 3 lakh each for the tour.

The International Handball Federation has adjudged HAI to be India's national governing body of the sport. However, HAI does not have recognition from the sports ministry. The ministry has asked the Indian Olympic Association to establish an ad-hoc committee but the IOA has recognised Handball Federation of India (HFI) as country's governing body for the sport. However, the international federation has declared that HAI will run the sport in India.

Amid this administrative tussle, young women in the squad have been forced to borrow money to travel for the championship. The report mentions three players in the team, Muskan, Swati and Saumya, who have taken debt to ensure that they participate in the tournament.

India are in Group A for the tournament alongside defending champions France, Egypt and Sweden.