LPU Crowned Handball Champions Amidst Controversy and Lottery System

The Lovely Professional University (LPU) women’s handball team was declared the winner of the North Zone Inter-University Championship in a highly unusual manner – through a lottery system. The decision followed participating teams refusing to play against LPU and officials declining to supervise matches, raising serious questions about the integrity of the competition.

The Controversial Championship

The North Zone Inter-University Handball Championship for Women concluded with a controversial outcome. After teams allegedly refused to compete against LPU, and match officials declined to oversee those games, organizers resorted to a “lottery system” to determine the top four teams. This decision was made, according to officials, to avoid negatively impacting the players’ futures.

Final Standings

The lottery system resulted in the following final standings:

• 1st Place: Lovely Professional University (LPU), Phagwara
• 2nd Place: Sardar Patel University, Mandi
• 3rd Place: Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
• 4th Place: Punjabi University, Patiala

All four teams have qualified for the All India Inter-University Handball Championship for Women.

Allegations of Misconduct and Referee Disputes

The situation stemmed from allegations of misconduct involving LPU players prior to their quarter-final match against Panjab University. Dr. Onkar Singh, the organizing secretary, stated that other teams refused to play LPU after this incident, and officials also refused to supervise the matches. The Tribune reported that LPU players demanded referee changes during their match against Panjab University, raising objections in front of local officials and sparking viral social media posts.

AIU Involvement and Investigation

The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) initially allotted the event to Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, which then delegated it to Lala Jagat Narain Himotkarsh Government Girls Degree College, Kotla Khrud, Una. Dr. Singh indicated that a report regarding the events is being prepared for submission to the AIU. He also mentioned that one team questioned the referees without even playing a match.

Coach’s Concerns

Chandan Singh, coach of the LPU team, confirmed that the participating team officials requested a lottery system after officials refused to conduct the matches. One unnamed coach expressed strong disapproval, stating that declaring a winner by lottery is “unjustifiable.”

Recent Inter-University Handball Championships

The AIU North Zone Inter-University Men’s Handball Championship was held from February 16-20, 2026, at Akal College of Physical Education, Mastuana Sahib, Sangrur. Handball Federation of India. Further inter-university championships are scheduled throughout March and April 2026, including events in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, and Kottayam, Kerala.