Karnataka Handball Association (R) was established in the year 1976 and serves as the governing body for the sport of Handball in Karnataka, responsible for overseeing state-level handball competitions. As a non-governmental organisation, it has received recognition from the Handball Association India, formerly known as the Handball Federation of India, as well as from the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports  and the Karnataka Olympic Association (KOA).

KHA has played a pivotal role in the development of Handball in the state of Karnataka. This includes providing training to talented players through coaching camps and organising various tournaments aimed at identifying and nurturing young talent. The initial office bearer of KHA was Mr. G R Bhatia, who served as the Honorary Secretary, followed by M K Nagendra until 2019. Presently, the organisation is under the leadership of Mr. B L Lokesha.