Nine Odisha rugby players join national camps for international events
Nine standout rugby players from Odisha, including six talented girls, have been selected for national preparatory camps ahead of major international tournaments. These rugby players will soon train with national squads eyeing both the highly anticipated Asian Games and the prestigious Asia Rugby Sevens series. Odisha has steadily developed into a dominant force in Indian rugby over the last decade, consistently nurturing grassroots talent and producing medal-winning stars for the national side.
Men Gear Up For Sri Lanka Campaign
Three dedicated state athletes secured spots in the 21-member probable list for the Asia Rugby Sevens series 2026 second leg. Asis Sabar, Ganesh Dhangada Majhi, and Jugal Kishore Majhi will travel to Sri Lanka for the high-stakes tournament scheduled for October 17 and 18. Their intensive preparatory camp runs from September 19 to October 14 at the SAI Netaji Subhas Eastern Centre in Kolkata. This national training pool features top competitors from across India, including six players from Maharashtra, five from Haryana, and representatives from West Bengal, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Delhi, and Punjab. Tournament officials expanded the upcoming Sevens series to feature 12 national teams across men's and women's divisions, significantly raising the challenge from the past eight-team format.
Women Target Asian Games Success
Six exceptional girls from the state claimed places in the exclusive 18-member national women’s squad preparing for the 20th Asian Games 2026. Dumuni Marndi, Nirmalya Rout, Mama Naik, Sandhyarani Tudu, Parbati Hansdah, and Arti Murmu will bring their renowned athleticism to the training camp. State sporting officials expressed tremendous pride in these selected athletes. Odisha Rugby Football Association Vice-president Upendra Kumar Mohanty highlighted their consistent on-field impact. He confidently stated that state players repeatedly help the national squad secure podium finishes. Mohanty specifically emphasized that the local female athletes display unmatched mental and physical toughness compared to their peers.
