Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde announces Pro Govinda League 2024. Click to learn more

Franchisees to acquire Govinda teams

July 23, 2024

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced the Pro Govinda Dahi Handi League 2024 on Monday. This year, the Maharashtra government-backed premier will be a legitimate sporting competition with wealthy franchisees acquiring Govinda teams, much like bidders do for individual players in IPL.

To further enhance the spirit of this cultural sport, the pre-qualification round is scheduled for July 27-28 in Thane. For this, 32 teams have registered. Of the total teams in the thrilling pre-qualification round, only the best 16 teams will be selected to participate in the grand main event, which will be held at the Dome SVP Stadium in Worli on August 18. Each Govinda group will receive a handsome fee running into lakhs of rupees.

Speaking about the event, CM Shinde Eknath Shinde shared: “Dahi Handi embodies the essence of Maharashtra’s rich traditions, bringing communities together. The Pro Govinda competition will help us to promote the tradition nationwide and encourage the players for maximum participation in this cultural ritual.”

Earlier, in 2014, Bombay High Court (HC) ordered to restrict the participation of children and imposed curbs on the height of the human pyramid. Later, the sport was brought back into action with reasonable guidelines and rules following several appeals.

However, now safety norms are followed, which has led to reduced injuries, organizers said.

Purvesh Pratap Sarnaik, league president & working president of Shiv Sena’s youth wing ‘Yuva Sena’ said, “It was my dream to transform dahi handi into a brand that is recognised nationwide, like the Pro Kabaddi League. We have combined IPL and Pro Kabaddi in this Pro Govinda League. The Govinda groups will wear team jerseys and will be known by their new names, while their old names will be used as suffixes.”

Leading Govinda groups like Shiv Sai Krida Mandal, Jai Jawan, Kokan Nagar, Om Sai Mauli, Om Sai Seva and Hindu Ekta have signed up for Pro Govinda 2024.