SECR Raipur division players play pivotal role in India's victory in Asian Women's Handball Championship

RAIPUR: As Indian women emerged victorious in the 3rd West Asian (President's Cup) Women's Handball Championship organised in Jordan from February four to seven, three players from South East Central Railway (SECR) Bilaspur Zone played a crucial role in leading the nation to lift the championship title.
A total of six players from Indian Railways, including Nikki, Kajal and Meenu from SECR Raipur Division, were the key members of the Indian team.
India finished first with 12 points followed by Jordan second with eight points and Iraq third with four points.
In the 16-member team of India, six women players were from Railways, which included three players from South East Central Railway, two from Northern Railway and one from South Central Railway.
India won all six matches and claimed the trophy, dominating from the very beginning. Indians defeated Kuwait by 41-15, 40-12, Iraq by 40-13, 35-23 and Jordan by 37-21, 28-21.
Hosts Jordan won the second position while losing both matches against India and Iraq earned bronze.
The two previous West Asian Women's Handball Championships took place in 2016 and 2018.
Qatar won the inaugural tournament in Doha while the Islamic Republic of Iran claimed the title two years later in Amman.
Notably, India did not feature in any of these competitions, while Jordan took silver at both and they did it again now.