Bisam Cuttack, Jan 29: The State-Level Junior Handball Championship 2026 was inaugurated at the local Mini Stadium of Bisam Cuttack Block under the aegis of the Rayagada District Handball Association.
Bisam Cuttack MLA Shri Neelamadhab Hikaka attended the event as the Chief Guest. He inaugurated the championship by offering prayers before the idols of Lord Jagannath and the presiding deity of Bisam Cuttack, Maa Markama, and formally declared the tournament open.
Teams from several districts, including Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Ganjam, Koraput, Nayagarh, Nuapada, Jajpur, Khordha, Puri, Balangir, Keonjhar, Kandhamal, Gajapati, and host district Rayagada, are participating in the championship. A total of 13 women’s teams and 15 men’s teams have taken part in the tournament.
League matches will be conducted over two days, after which the qualifying teams will compete in the semi-finals and finals scheduled for the 21st.
During the inauguration, Chief Guest Shri Hikaka interacted with players from various districts and encouraged them. Among those present were international handball coach Gouri Shankar Mishra, Secretary of Rayagada District Handball Association Shubhendu Narayan Choudhury, In-Charge Principal of the District Institute of Education and Training Jagannath Meher, former sports teacher of Markama College Ashok Kumar Singh, Headmaster of Ramchandra High School, Hatamuniguda, Abanananda Nayak, Pramod Panigrahi, and Shibaram Nayak, who attended as distinguished guests.
As this is the first time that a state-level handball tournament is being organized in Bisam Cuttack Block, there is noticeable enthusiasm among local players and sports lovers. Participants from both within and outside the district are actively cooperating in the successful conduct of the event.
To address any possible health-related issues during the matches, a medical team has been kept on alert. Police personnel have also been deployed at the playground to ensure the safety and security of the players.
The tournament is being managed by Rayagada District Handball Association Secretary Shubhendu Narayan Choudhury, while local teacher Rajesh Biswal is anchoring and coordinating the stage proceedings.