Guwahati, Feb 4 : The East Zone Inter University Handball (Men)Tournament 2022-23 was inaugurated today at the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) by Prof GD Sharma, Vice Chancellor of USTM in the presence of Dr BK Das, Pro VC, USTM; Shri Pritpal Singh Shaluja, General Secretary, Handball Federation of India; Shri Ashok Singhi, Vice Chairman, East Zone Handball Federation of India; Shri Uttam Brahma, Secretary, Assam Handball Association; other officials, 14 referees, coaches, managers and teams from 27 universities from eastern India.
Welcoming the delegates and players, Prof GD Sharma said that USTM is organising this
event so that students from different parts of the country can come, play together and learn
from each other. “This is the kind of atmosphere which brings unity in diversity. I am sure all the participating teams will play with great enthusiasm and sportsmanship spirit, maintaining a positive attitude as a team”, he added.
Congratulating USTM authorities for organising the competitions amidst a beautiful
environment and infrastructure, Shri Pritpal Singh Shaluja said, “The participation of so
many teams here makes me feel as if the national competition is being held here today. He
urged all the competing players to participate in the competitions, maintaining discipline as
the qualifying teams will participate in the National level tournament.”
Addressing the gathering, Shri Ashok Singhi praised the ambience and facilities at USTM
and said that the National tournament too could be held here at USTM so that players from
the North East get new opportunities. “Time has changed. Unlike in the past, sports in India
today are encouraged and supported by the Government. Through sports, the country is
gaining financially today. The child who plays always remains in the mainstream, and they
do not go to join extremist groups”, he said. He appealed to all to raise the spirit of sports,
which can bring humanitarian values to all.
After the hoisting of USTM and AIU flags, the oath was administered by the caption of the
USTM handball team. The tournament was declared open by Dr BK Das. He encouraged the
participating players to dream big and work tirelessly to achieve that.
The participating teams are from Guru Ghasidas V. Bilaspur, S.M.V Bastar, S.K.M.U
Dumka, Jharkhand, TM Bhagalpur University, Kalyani University, Manipur University,
Hemchand Yadav Vis. Durg , Veer Kunwar Singh University Bihar, Munger University,
Berhampur University, University of North Bengal, Sant Gahira Vishwavidyalaya, A.K.S.U
Satna, A.P.S.U. Rewa, Central University of South Bihar, D.D.U Gorakhpur, Vishwa Bharati
University, Atal Bihari V.U Bilaspur, University of Calcutta, C.S.V.T.U Bhilai, Utkal
University, S.N.P.V Raigarh, ICFAI Tripura, L. N. Mithila University, West Bengal State
University, University of Burdwan and University of Science & Technology Meghalaya.