JAIPUR: Defending champions Rajasthan had to face defeat against Indian Railways in the title clash of the women's category of the four-day 35th Federation Cup Handball Championship which concluded in Sangli (Maharashtra) on Wednesday.
Indian Railways beat Rajasthan 26-14 in the final. Haryana and Maharashtra stood at joint third place after losing their respective semi-finals.
Honorary secretary of Rajasthan State Handball Association, Yash Pratap Singh said that in the tournament, the Rajasthan team performed well and entered the semis by topping the pool.
In the league ties, Rajasthan downed Uttar Pradesh 24-19. Later, they got the better of Maharashtra 25-19 and Punjab 25-23. Rajasthan pipped Haryana 31-30 in the semis to enter the final. It was a thrilling encounter with fortunes fluctuating at every moment. Captain of the squad Hemlata led from the front and guided her team to an exciting win.
Rajasthan handball squad: Hemlata (captain), Pooja Gurjar, Muskaan, Krutika, Jassi, Payal, Anjali, Priya Kanwar, Sanjana, Sharda, Babita Sharma, Aarti, Maya Jat, Bhanwari, Kiran, Rekha Choudhary, Geeta, Tina. Coach: Prachi Gurjar. Assistant coach: Pooja Rathod. Manager: Kalyani Shekhawat
