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Government of Odisha, in collaboration with Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU), is hosting the 3rd Asia Rugby Sevens U-18 Girls Championship at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar from October 26 to 28. This will be the first age-grade international rugby tournament hosted by India.
Altogether 12 countries would vie for the trophy. Other 11 teams are: China, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei, Laos, Nepal, Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and UAE. Sandhya Rai will lead a 19-member Indian team with Sumitra Nayak of Odisha as her deputy. Four more Odisha players _ Jemamani Naik, Soni Mandangi, Lija Sardar and Parbati Kisku have been given berths in the Indian team.
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Teams have been placed in three pools and the top eight will advance to quarterfinals after completion of matches in pool league. India has been placed placed in Pool B along with Sri Lanka, UAE and Bangladesh. India will meet UAE in the opening match tomorrow evening.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik would inaugurate the championship in presence of Indian football team captain Sunil Chhetri and Asian Games heptathlon gold medalist Swapana Barman. This was disclosed in a press conference at Kalinga Stadium here today.
State Sports & Youth Services Department Secretary Vishal Dev, former India rugby player and film star Rahul Bose, IRFU General Manager Nasser Hussain and Odisha Rugby Football Association (ORFA) president Priyadarshi Mishra briefed the mediapersons in the presence of ORFA secretary Upendra Kumar Mohanty, players of Indian team and coach Leudwiche Van Deventer.
The first two editions of the championship were held in Dubai. Hong Kong won the inaugural edition in 2016, while the title in the 2017 edition was captured by Japan. Last year, China settled as runners-up, while India finished fourth. Accoriding to Indian team’s South African coach Deventer, reaching semifinals would be the first goal for the host country.
TEAM INDIA: Sweety Kumari, Gudiya Kumari, Rutuja Kirdat, Devyani Mohope, Priya, Sandhya Rai (Captain), Sultana Khatun, Asha Oraon, Rushmita Oraon, Tanuja Oraon, Urshila Khariya, Sumitra Nayak (vice-captain), Jemamani Naik, Soni Mandangi, Lija Sardar and Parbati Kisku. Coach: Leudwiche Van Deventer, Manager: Rehmuddin Shaikh, Physio: Shabrez Mukaddam.
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TOP: Rahul Bose takes a selfie with Indian team after the press conference in Bhubaneswar on Oct 25, 2018.
RIGHT: Indian team’s Odisha players (L to R) Jemamani Naik, Sumitra Nayak, Soni Mandangi, Lija Sardar and Parbati Kisku in a jubilant mood on on Oct 25, 2018.
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