LUCKNOW, Sept. 6 -- Uttar Pradesh Handball Association (UPHA) on Friday unveiled the glittering trophy of the state's first official handball league 'UP Pro Handball League at a grand ceremony here. The league is being held under the aegis of Uttar Pradesh Handball Association and in collaboration with 100 Sports Management Private Limited, on the pattern of the Indian Premier League and pro kabaddi league. Secretary general of the South Asian Handball Federation, Anandeshwar Pandey and special guest Rani Singh, senior vice-president of the Uttar Pradesh Handball Association, unveiled the trophy jointly amidst glitz and glamour. On the occasion, as many as 20 outstanding national handball players of Uttar Pradesh were felicitated with trophies and cash awards. The names of the eight participating teams of the league were also announced. Naveen Poonia, former vice-captain of Indian handball team, who has been the brand ambassador of this league, launched the theme song of the league 'UP Khelega Handball'. "This trophy is a symbol of pride and new possibilities of handball sport in the state. This league will give new heights to the handball sport in the state," said Anandeshwar Pandey while addressing the gathering on the occasion. "This league will not only provide international level experience to the players, but will also instill new energy and enthusiasm in the youth towards the sport. In the coming years, this league will play an important role in making Uttar Pradesh a hub of handball. Eight teams are participating in the first edition and I hope that more teams will join this league in future," he added. Special guest Rani Singh said that the league will be organized with the tag line 'Jab Khelega UP Dahlega Maidan', which will instill enthusiasm in the players. Founder Director of UP Pro Handball League Amit Pandey said that the trophy of this league is not just an award, but it is a symbol of the growing respect and identity of the sports of UP. Made of pure metal weighing 20 kg and decorated with 22 carat gold plating, this trophy includes the design of the net and handball, which gives the message of accuracy, concentration and intensity of the game. "I am confident that the league will make the dreams of the players of the state come true. Pandey said that the league will start from December 25, the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee," he added. He further said that the objective of UP Pro Handball League is not only to conduct competition, but to give a platform to the players of the state where they can hone their talent and reach the national and international level. "We have also decided the process of auctioning the franchise and players to give it a professional form, which will be announced soon." The winning team of the league will get a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, the runner-up will get Rs 7 lakh....