National Beach Handball at Mahim Beach from June 2-4

Mumbai, May 30 (UNI) Last years finalists Kerala and Chhatisgarh are among the 36 odd states who are likely to be seen in action in the fifth National Beach Handball championships for men and women to be held here at Mahim Bunder from June 2 to June 4.

All the matches will be played on league-cum-knockout basis from morning to evening.

This is a prelude to Asian Handball Championships to be hosted by the Amateur Handball Association of Mumbai next year. This was disclosed by the organising secretary Randhir Singh today.

India has been performing well internationally. At the last Doha Asian Games, India made it to the quarterfinals, where they lost by a wisker to the ultimate champions China, added Randhir Singh.

The teams who have already confirmed their participation are Kerala, Delhi, Punjab, J&K, Chhatisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Goa, Pondicherry, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Orissa and the hosts Mumbai.

The teams will be divided into four pools and the top of each pool will make to the last four stage. This Rs 5 lakh mega event, has yet to find a title sponsor. But the organisers, who have already got part sponsorships, hope that with the support of the print and electronic media, they will be able to make the event a success.

UNI