Bhubaneswar: The U-18 girl’s Asian Rugby Sevens Championships will kick-start Friday at the Kalinga Stadium, Vishal Dev, commissioner-cum-secretary, Sports and Youth Services, Govt of Odisha announced here, Thursday. Also present at the press meet were former India rugby player and actor Rahul Bose, former India rugby captain Naseer Hussain and Priyadarshini Mishra, president of Odisha Rugby Association.
The third edition of the championship also marks as the first ever international age grade rugby tournament to be hosted in the country. It will also be the first time the Indian national team play their first international tournament on home soil. Meanwhile, for the record, India had finished fourth in the last edition held in Dubai and in the inaugural edition India had to be satisfied with runners-up finish.
The three-day event will see a total of 12 countries divided into three groups who will fight for the top honours. The teams are Hong Kong, China, Chinese Taipei, UAE, Philippines, Laos, Nepal, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand and hosts India.
India have been grouped in Pool B along with Sri Lanka, UAE and Bangladesh. The Indian girls will play their first game against UAE on the opening day before playing their second match Saturday (Bangladesh). They play their third match later in the day against Sri Lanka. Is
Speaking on the occasion, Bose has thanked the state government for their support within such a short notice. “I thank the government of Odisha and the department for sports and youth affairs for lending their full support and joining hands in making the tournament a big success,” Bose added.
It is also to be noted that the five girls – Sumitra Nayak (vice-captain), Soni Mandangi, Jemamani Naik, Lija Sardar and Parbati Kisku – are in the squad.
“I am very excited as well as my teammates are as this will be first time we will be playing on our home soil. Our coach Leudwiche Van Deventer who came all the way from South Africa has been very helpful and supporting and tomorrow against UAE we will give our all what he has taught us to win the game,” Sumitra said.
Bose also added that the sport is on a rise for the past few years and the authorities and the state governments should come forward and support the game to reach a new level and create a buzz among the citizens.
“The boys and girls have been performing quite well for the past few years and like every sport to grow rugby also needs time. It would be great if the local authorities and the state governments come forward and support us financially getting sponsors and with facilities,” Bose added.