15 schools compete in 2026 ISSO Handball Championship in Mumbai

Handball has gained increasing prominence within the International Schools Sports Organisation (ISSO) calendar, as demonstrated by the participation of 15 schools in the two-day ISSO Handball Championship held at Don Bosco International School in Mumbai.

Introduced to the ISSO calendar last year, the 2026 championship marked the tournament’s second edition, featuring increased participation and competitive matches across the Under-14 and Under-17 Boys and Girls categories. This development further established Handball’s position within ISSO’s expanding sports programme.

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The host institution, Don Bosco International School (DBIS), Mumbai, achieved notable success by winning three of the four titles contested. DBIS secured championships in the Under-14 Boys, Under-14 Girls, and Under-17 Boys divisions, while VIBGYOR claimed the Under-17 Girls title.

In the Under-14 Boys category, DBIS finished as champions, with Amulakh as runners-up and CHIREC in third place. The Under-14 Girls title was won by DBIS, followed by VIBGYOR in second and Amulakh in third.

DBIS maintained momentum in the Under-17 Boys category, finishing ahead of VIBGYOR and CHIREC. VIBGYOR emerged victorious in the Under-17 Girls division, with DBIS coming second and Utpal securing third place.

Abhishek Saraswat, Admin Head of ISSO, commented on the rising popularity of Handball: “It is encouraging to see Handball gaining greater participation and enthusiasm in its second year on the ISSO calendar. The response from schools and athletes reflects the growing interest in the sport, and we look forward to building on this momentum in the coming editions.”

The championship highlighted the increasing depth of school-level Handball, with athletes competing across multiple age groups and schools presenting strong teams. The growth in participation in only its second year emphasises the sport’s potential to become a key discipline in the ISSO programme.