New Delhi, December 24, 2024: The Golden Eagles Handball Academy continued to leave a strong mark on the national stage, with several of its elite talents winning medals at the 68th School Games Federation of India Nationals and State Championships. Part of the Pavna Group, the Aligarh-based academy, which has recruited 17 boys and 17 girls from across the country, witnessed standout performances across the Under-14, 17, and 19 categories, highlighting its far-reaching impact on Indian handball.
The success of the Academy’s wards contributes to a growing handball ecosystem, recently invigorated by India hosting the Asian Women’s Handball Championship for the first time. At the Under-19 SGFI Nationals in Ludhiana, Punjab, Sakeel and Ravi of Haryana secured the Silver Medal in a closely contested final against Punjab, while Rohit, representing Delhi, claimed the Bronze Medal with a victory over Bihar.
Further showcasing the academy’s national footprint, Teja Reddy of Andhra Pradesh won Gold at the Under-17 State Championship in Rajahmundry, earning spots in both the SGFI Nationals and the upcoming Senior National Championship in Kerala. Similarly, Rajasthan’s Tanish Swamy, who hails from a farming background, won Bronze at the Under-14 SGFI Nationals in Chhattisgarh, exemplifying how Golden Eagles’ grassroots efforts are transforming young athletes into national-level talents.
The academy’s Founder and Promoter Swapnil Jain expressed pride in these accomplishments, stating, “The achievements of our players this season reflect the dedication and hard work of the entire team at Golden Eagles. These successes not only highlight the effectiveness of our grassroots talent development programs but also underline our contribution to strengthening India’s growing handball ecosystem. We are steadfast in our commitment to building a robust talent pipeline that nurtures future champions and aims to make a significant impact on the global stage, with an unwavering focus on excelling at the 2032 Olympics.”
These national triumphs add to the academy’s remarkable achievements on a global stage, including five boys from the Under-17 category winning gold at the International Handball Federation Trophy and two girls–Pooja and Vaishnavi Singh–representing India at the Youth World Championship in China. Looking ahead, the academy’s athletes are preparing for the SGFI Nationals in Telangana and the Senior Nationals in Kerala.
The players credit the academy for their success. Sakeel and Ravi reflected, “Playing under Golden Eagles has transformed our lives. The training and mentorship we received helped us achieve what we never thought possible.” Rohit added, “This medal reflects the academy’s unwavering support and commitment to nurturing talent.” Tanish shared, “Golden Eagles gave me the platform to excel and the confidence to dream bigger.”
Established on April 28, 2024, the Golden Eagles Academy is a state-of-the-art training facility equipped with international-standard Gumball equipment, a gym, and a swimming pool. Beyond sports, it provides free education, housing, and comprehensive training to its 17 boys and 17 girls, preparing them for global competitions with a long-term goal of excelling at the 2032 Olympics.
