Handball court turns pool

Deepankar Sharda

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 23

Heavy showers last evening have again revived the long-pending demand for a synthetic or indoor handball court at Panjab University as the organisers had to shift the venue of the Inter-College Handball Championship for Women and the Inter-College Handball Championship for Men to the Sports Complex, Sector 42.

Meanwhile, handball players also stressed on the need for a synthetic court. “We have played the entire championship on an ordinary court in the open and the sudden change in the venue due to showers surprised us. Initially, we found it awkward but later adapted to it,” said a player.

Another player added, “Ideally, the championship should be played on a synthetic surface or indoor wooden surface. At the university level, if we are deprived of such a facility, how can we perform well at the national level? The experience of playing on a hard surface is completely different from the wooden surface.”

Earlier in 2012, Panjab University had changed the venue of the North Zone Inter-University Handball Championship for Woman following rain. Ironically, even after three years, the authorities are yet to decide on building a standard handball court. A senior coach added, “A synthetic court is the need of the hour. Players at all Chandigarh colleges practice on a hard surface but the inter-college meet is being held on an ordinary court in the open. Handball is a tough game and there is a need to improve the infrastructure. Panjab University has always provided the best facilities to sportspersons but the authorities seem to be little enthusiastic about handball.

“It’s true that we face the problem every year. After this championship, the Directorate of Sports will surely plan to build a proper handball court at PU. The venue was shifted to the Sport Complex to continue the tournament. We will plan a new all-weather surface,” said Dr Parminder Singh, Director, Sports, Panjab University.