In a significant achievement, Shreyas Sudesh Malap, an accomplished international handball player hailing from Solapur, has secured a spot in the Indian men’s handball team participating in the 21st Asian Championship scheduled to take place in Bahrain from January 11 to 25.
The stakes are high in this Asian tournament, as the top four ranked teams will earn coveted entry slots for both the World Handball Championship and the upcoming Olympics. With 19 teams, including India, vying for success, the competition promises to be intense.
Shreyas Malap’s inclusion in the Indian senior men’s handball team not only brings honor to the sports sector in Solapur but also underlines his prowess in the game.
Shreyas has previously showcased his talent by securing a place in the Indian Junior Handball team, contributing to their victories with a gold in Pakistan and a bronze in Thailand.
Currently in his first year at Sushilkumar Shinde B.P.Ed College Nehrunagar, Shreyas Malap received his education at No. M. Vs. Suyash High School and Sangameshwar College.
As a player affiliated with the Solapur City and District Handball Association and Ajinkyatara Sports Foundation, he has been mentored by the association’s head coach, Dr. Anand Chavan, Prof. Sharan Wangi, Prof. Rahul Hazare, and Atul Gawli.
Expressing pride in Shreyas’s accomplishment, the president of the association, Dr. Puranchandra Punjal, and Joint Secretary Laxmikant Dhotre extended their congratulations.
Amidst celebrating individual achievements, some argue that the focus on sports tournaments contributing to Olympic qualifications might overshadow the broader essence of sports as a means of personal development and community engagement.
