Digital New Guru Sports Desk:
Rajasthan’s Mamta Earns Spot on India Women’s Handball Squad for Youth Asian Games
Hailing from the Sikar district of Rajasthan, Mamta has earned a place in the Indian women’s handball squad set to compete at the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Bahrain from October 22 to 31, 2025.
Selected for the pivot position on the team, Mamta has been a member of the Women’s Handball Academy under the auspices of the Rajasthan State Sports Council (RSSC) in Jaipur since 2022. She trains under coach Manisha Rathore, an international-level coach affiliated with the RSSC.
This selection marks a significant milestone in her career. It is her third appearance internationally, after earlier representing India at the 2023 Youth Asian Championships in New Delhi and the 2025 edition in China. She also played a part in Rajasthan’s bronze-medal performance at the National Games in Uttarakhand this year.
Mamta’s rise exemplifies how talent from smaller districts is now finding a platform through strengthened sports academies and structured support systems.
Pathway & preparation: how she got here
The journey has not been overnight. Her inclusion in the academy in 2022 gave her access to structured daily training, modern coaching, and exposure to national-level selection pathways. The pivot position—which involves both defensive and offensive play, linking the back-court to the front line—demands physicality, spatial awareness and strong decision-making, all of which Mamta has honed.
The national selection process for youth handball is rigorous. Players across states undergo trials and training camps (often hosted by the Sports Authority of India [SAI] or by state associations) before being shortlisted for continental level events. For example, earlier selections from Rajasthan—like Mamta’s compatriots in other age-groups—highlight a pattern of state-level players graduating to national camps.
For the Bahrain Games, the Indian women’s handball team has already departed for the venue, and the matches for the girls’ handball category are scheduled to begin soon after arrival.
Why this matters: for Mamta, for Rajasthan and for Indian handball
Personal milestone
For Mamta, this selection is a breakthrough. Representing India at a multi-sport continental youth event such as the Asian Youth Games offers major exposure—both in terms of competition level and media attention. It could also serve as a stepping stone towards senior national team selection if she performs well.
Boost for Rajasthan sport
Rajasthan has made visible progress in handball, with its girls’ teams winning medals at national events. For instance, in April 2025 the junior girls from Rajasthan secured a bronze in the National Championship. Mamta’s rise reinforces this trend and strengthens the image of Rajasthan as a state producing international-level athletes in less-publicised sports.
Uplift for women’s handball in India
Indian women’s handball does not yet enjoy the same profile as mainstream sports, but representation in youth continental events is key to building a pipeline of talent. Young athletes like Mamta gaining international exposure helps elevate the sport’s visibility, encourages new entrants, and may attract more investment and support from state associations, academies and sponsors.
Challenges ahead & what to watch
While the selection is commendable, the real test begins in competition. Some specific areas to monitor:
- Performance under pressure: The Asia-level competitions pit India against stronger teams from countries where handball has deeper infrastructure and tradition. How Mamta copes with high-tempo matches, tactical demands and fitness will matter.
- Team results: The collective performance of the Indian women’s handball team at the Asian Youth Games will influence future funding, selection policies and attention to the sport.
- Sustained development: After the games, maintaining momentum in training, securing resources, and providing pathways for athletes like Mamta to progress to senior level will be crucial.
- State-level recognition & support: Her home district Sikar and the academy in Jaipur will likely highlight her success, but translating this into enhanced facilities, more competitive programmes and more outreach at the grassroots level will be important for the sport’s ecosystem in Rajasthan.
A stepping stone to greater goals
Participating in the Asian Youth Games opens many doors. For Mamta:
- It adds to her credentials as an international athlete, which may make her eligible for further training camps, scholarships or postings within sports bodies.
- Performance there could put her on the radar for senior national selection or club opportunities (in India or abroad) in handball.
- The exposure to diverse playing styles, higher-level competition and bigger stage will accelerate her growth both technically and mentally.
For handball in India and Rajasthan, the hope is that stories like this become more common. When athletes from remote districts and structured academies ascend to national selection, it signals that the system can work. It also provides inspiration for younger players and contributes to a wider shift in how India approaches less-popular sports.
Conclusion
Mamta’s selection for the Indian women’s handball team for the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Bahrain is significant for multiple reasons. It is a personal triumph, a sign of Rajasthan’s growing sporting strength, and a positive development for women’s handball in India. Her journey—from the Women’s Handball Academy in Jaipur to the national squad—shows how talent, training and opportunity can converge.
What remains to be seen is how she and the Indian team perform on the international stage. A strong showing could elevate her career, spark wider interest in the sport and shift the handball landscape in India. Regardless of medals, the fact that a young athlete from Sikar is representing India is in itself a moment worth celebrating.
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