Women's Handball League Inks a Multi-Year Deal with Nivia Sports as Official Ball and Kit Sponsor

The Women's Handball League (WHL), backed by Pavna Sports Venture, has announced a strategic partnership with Nivia Sports, a leading Indian sports equipment manufacturer. Nivia Sports will serve as the official ball, equipment, and kit sponsor for the league in a multi-year agreement, gearing up for the league's kickoff in January 2025.

As the first-ever women's handball league in Southeast Asia, WHL will showcase top players from India, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Africa. With the support of the South Asian Handball Federation and the Asian Handball Federation, the league will debut with six franchise teams.

This partnership aims to revolutionize handball in India by providing ample opportunities for athletes and nurturing the sport's growth from grassroots to professional levels, particularly in women's handball. It also seeks to position India as a handball hub leading up to the 2032 Olympics.

Pavna Sports Venture, the league's promoters, have committed substantial investment over the next three years to talent scouting, infrastructure development, and establishing high-quality coaching facilities at the grassroots level. With Nivia Sports on board, the objective is to identify India's most promising handball talents and increase the sport's visibility nationwide.

"This strategic alliance with Nivia Sports will be a major milestone in our quest to position handball as a leading Olympic Sport in India. By partnering with a brand synonymous with excellence, we are set to establish world-class standards that will elevate the Women’s League and the sport as a whole. This collaboration will also enhance the quality of play at every level, from grassroots initiatives to elite competitions, and inspire countless young athletes to embrace handball. Together, we envision a future where handball flourishes as a premier sport, cultivating the next generation of champions," said Priya Jain, Executive Director, Pavna Industries & Chairperson of Pavna Sports Venture.

With a distinguished legacy spanning over three decades in the sports equipment industry, Nivia Sports is dedicated to crafting high-quality handballs that offer affordability and durability, enhancing athletes' performance.

This collaboration will enable Nivia to expand its presence across India and the Southeast Asian region, fostering the creation of new markets. WHL serves as an excellent platform for this indigenous brand to exhibit its premium handball offerings and facilitate research and development initiatives. This partnership opens avenues for innovation and global marketing of top-tier handball products, aligning with Nivia's track record of excellence in sports equipment production, spanning football, basketball, and volleyball, among others.

"The Indian Women's handball team is currently ranked 5th in Asia, and our ambition is to see them reach new heights, with the potential to qualify for the 2032 Olympics. We believe that using top-notch balls, gear, and equipment will significantly boost the sport's popularity. The Women's Premier League will be instrumental in this journey. This partnership is more than just a sponsorship; it is a strategic alliance in our mission to elevate handball in India and across Southeast Asia," added Rajesh Kharabanda, Managing Director of Nivia—the official ball partner of India’s top football league and holder of a 70 percent market share in football. 

They are also recognized as FIFA-certified football manufacturers in India.

As one of several endeavors undertaken by the Women’s Handball League to foster the growth and development of handball, as well as to identify and nurture young and talented Indian players for the upcoming league, WHL has launched the "Future Handball Champions Program." In collaboration with Nivia, they intend to organize numerous talent scouting programs nationwide to discover and nurture young talents. Their goal is to enhance accessibility to the sport, with a particular focus on advancing women's handball in the country.