Rugby
Odisha to host U-20 Asian Rugby C'ship in Bhubaneswar
International rugby will return to Odisha after eight years with the continental event.
Indian women's U20 Rugby Team in a practice session (Photo credit: Rugby India)
International rugby will return to Odisha after eight years as the state capital Bhubaneswar will host the Asia Rugby Emirates Under-20 Sevens Championship 2026 at the Kalinga Stadium on November 14 and 15.
Rugby India on Friday announced the Indian U-20 men's and women's squads for the continental championship, which will feature 10 nations in the men's and women's categories.
The Indian women's team will look to build on their bronze-medal finish at the 2025 edition in Rajgir, Bihar, while the men's side will aim for a strong showing on home soil.
The last international rugby championship hosted in Odisha was the Asia Rugby U18 Girls Sevens Championship in 2018.
The tournament will feature India, Hong Kong China, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Thailand, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Nepal and Jordan. Seven teams will compete in the women's category.
Squads
Men: Pushpender (captain), Rajan Rawat (vice-captain), Ajit Nag, Aman, Arun Prajapat, Bharat Kisan, Bidyadhar Majhi, Charan Hembram, Naman Yadav, Rahul Majhi, Rohit Kumar and Subash Hansdah.
Women: Tanushree Bhosale (captain), Mamali Singh (vice-captain), Akshaya NS, Anita Murmu, Anushka Sankpal, Dipali Tathe, Khushi Devi, Kirti Jadhav, Aditi Sakharam Londhe, Saloni Kumari, Samruddhi Kadam and Sumitra Murmu.
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