Bhubaneswar: India defeated United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the inaugural match of the 3rd Asia Rugby Under-18 Sevens Girls Championship at Kalinga Stadium here on Friday.
Anitha, Rosmita Oraon, Parbati Kisku and Sweety Kumari are the Indian player scored a try each. In the second match, Sri Lanka edged out Bangladesh 81-0, while Hong Kong beat Chinese Taipei 65-0.
Likewise, China, Qatar and Thailand edged past Philippines, Laos and Nepal 49-0, 24-0 and 60-0 respectively.
Odisha Chief Minister (CM) Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the Championship wherein 12 top Asian countries are participating.
The tournament will conclude on October 29.
On the inaugural occasion CM felicitated Asian Games gold medalist heptathalate Swapna Barman.
The cultural group of Padmashree Aruna Mohanty spellbound the houseful stadium.
Sports and Youth Services Minister Chandra Sarathi Behera said, “Our State capital is becoming the sports capital of India. We are going to host another biggest event of sports, hockey World Cup in November. The State is planning to create a first rugby academy of the country in Bhubaneswar city.”
Secretary Vishal Dev, Director Vineel Krishna, Asia Rugby President Aga Hussain, Rugby Indian President Nomi Meheta, Former Rugby player Rahul Bose and Odisha Rugby Football Association President Priyadarshi Mishra were among others who were present on the inaugural ceremony.
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Ms Kalinga