The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has taken a significant step by granting official recognition to the Handball Association of India (HAI) as the National Sports Federation (NSF) responsible for overseeing the promotion and regulation of handball sports in the country. Acknowledging HAI as a fully functional governing body, the Sports Ministry has solidified its position within the sports framework.
Established on 15th June 1972 by Jagat Singh Lohan, the Handball Association of India has a remarkable history, with its foundations laid through the invaluable contributions of Jagat Singh Lohan during the Munich Olympics. Since 1974, HAI has been an active member of both the Asian Handball Federation (AHF) and the International Handball Federation (IHF). Moreover, it proudly holds affiliations with the Commonwealth Handball Association and the South Asian Handball Federation.
Under the guidance and supervision of Retd. District Judge Justice Deepak Kumar Srivastava, the election of HAI was conducted, leading to its rightful recognition as the official governing body for handball in India. Led by its current President, Digvijay Chautala, HAI is committed to the principles of sportsmanship, athlete development, and fostering high-performance sports opportunities accessible to all throughout the nation. This recognition marks a significant milestone for handball in India and promises to uplift the sport to new heights.