ASIA RUGBY SEVENS UNDER 18 GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP

Kalinga Stadium - Bhubaneswar, Odisha

26^th – 28^th October, 2018

The Department of Sport & Youth Services, Govt. of Odisha in conjunction with Asia Rugby & Rugby India successfully hosted the Asia Rugby Sevens Under 18 Girls Championship. This event marked the first ever age grade international rugby tournament to be played on Indian soil. The tournament was held at the iconic Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha on the 26^th to 28^th of October, 2018.

The event saw a total of 12 countries from across Asia compete for top honors. The participating teams were, Hong Kong, China, UAE, Philippines, Laos, Qatar, Nepal, Chinese Taipei, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand and the host country, India.

Commenting on the championship, Mr. Vishal Kumar Dev- Commissioner- Cum- Secretary, Sports & Youth Services said, “This championship is more competitive than ever. 12 fantastic teams, so many grilling matches, some incredibly good performances from an action-packed crop of youngsters; there is just so much to look forward to. We are so glad to host such a recognized championship in the sporting segment.”

Talking about the tournament, Mr. Rahul Bose- Former India Rugby Player, Actor & Film Maker, said, “The event is a beginning of a celebration. A sport like rugby will finally be hosted by our country. It has been a true honor to have been a part of this sport and as a former player I hope this tournament will inspire current players, those new to the game and future generations towards this sport.”

PRESS CONFERENCE

 The announcement of the commencement of the ASIAN RUGBY UNDER-18 GIRLS RUGBY SEVENS CHAMPIONSHIP was made at a press conference held on Thursday 25^th October.

Along with the members of the Indian National Under 18 Girls team, officials present at the conference were, Mr. Vishal Kumar Dev- Commissioner- Cum- Secretary, Sports & Youth Services, Govt. Of Odisha, Mr. R Vineel Krishna -Director-Cum-Additional Secretary, Sports & Youth Services, Govt. Of Odisha, Mr. Rahul Bose Former India Rugby Player, Actor & Film Maker, Mr. Nasser Hussain- Former Indian Rugby Captain, General Manager, Indian Rugby Football Union and Mr Priyadarshi Mishra, Member of the Legislative Assembly & President, Odisha Rugby Football Association

TEAM INDIA

Sweety Kumari (Bihar), Lija Sardar (Odisha), Leudwiche Van Deventer (Head Coach), Jemamani Naik (Odisha), Rushmita Oraon (West Bengal), Asha Oraon (West Bengal)

Seated Left to Right- Priya (Delhi), Rutuja Kirdat (Maharashtra),Soni Mandangi (Odisha), Sumitra Nayak (Odisha), Sandhya Rai (West Bengal), Parbati Kisku (Odisha), Anita (Tamil Nadu)

OPENING CEREMONY

The opening ceremony for the tournament was held on Friday 26^th October 2018 at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.

The event was graced  by Hon. Chief Minister Odisha, Shri Naveen Patnaik.

Other dignitaries present were:

·         Shri Chandra Sarathi Behera- Hon. Minister, Sports and Youth Services Department, Govt. of Odisha

·         Vishal Kumar Dev- Commissioner –cum- Secretary, Sports and Youth Services Department , Govt. Of Odisha

·         Vineel Krishna- Director of Sports, Sports and Youth Services Department, Govt. of Odisha

·         Aga Hussain- President, Asia Rugby

·         Noomi Mehta- President, Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU)

·         Priyadarshi Mishra-Member of Legislative Assembly/ President, Odisha Rugby

·         U.K Mohanty- Secretary, Odisha Rugby Football Association

·         Rahul Bose – Former Indian Rugby Player, Actor and Film Maker

·         Swapna Barman – 2018 Asian Games Heptathlon Gold Medallist