Odisha Gears Up for the Asia Rugby Emirates U20 Sevens Championship 2026!

Odisha is gearing up to host the Asia Rugby Emirates U20 Sevens Championship 2026 at Kalinga Stadium on November 14 and 15. With 17 teams from 10 countries participating, including India, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka, the event promises to be a thrilling showcase of rugby talent. Eight players from Odisha have made it to the Indian U20 squads, highlighting the state's growing influence in the sport. Minister Suryabanshi Suraj has emphasized the importance of meticulous arrangements for the event, ensuring a smooth experience for players and spectators alike. This championship is not only a point of pride for Odisha but also aims to inspire young athletes across the nation to pursue rugby.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 9, 2026, 21:24 IST

Preparations Underway for a Major Rugby Event

Bhubaneswar: On Monday, Suryabanshi Suraj, the Minister for Sports and Youth Services, evaluated the preparations for the upcoming Asia Rugby Emirates U20 Sevens Championship 2026, set to take place at Kalinga Stadium on November 14 and 15. This championship is a collaborative effort between Rugby India, the Sports and Youth Services Department of the Odisha government, and the Odisha Rugby Football Association. A total of 17 teams, including 10 men's and 7 women's teams from 10 different nations, will compete in this two-day international event.

The countries participating include India, Hong Kong China, Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Jordan. Notably, eight players from Odisha have secured spots in the Indian U20 teams, with five in the men's squad and three in the women's squad. The men's team features Bharat Kisan, Vidyadhar Majhi, Charan Hembram, Rahul Majhi, and Subash Hansda, while Mamali Singh, Anita Murmu, and Sumitra Murmu will represent the women.

During the review, the Minister emphasized the importance of ensuring seamless arrangements for the arrival, accommodation, transportation, and hospitality of all participating teams. He also highlighted the necessity for robust security measures for both players and spectators, including police presence, access to drinking water, sanitation facilities, reliable power supply, and fire safety protocols at the venue.

Suraj expressed that hosting this international championship is a significant honor for Odisha, noting that the state has already successfully hosted three national-level rugby events at Kalinga Stadium this year, including the Sub-Junior National Rugby Sevens Championship, ASMITA Rugby League – National, and the National Rugby 15s Championship – Division I. He believes that the Asia Rugby Emirates U20 Sevens Championship will further enhance Odisha's reputation on the global sports stage.

Additionally, he mentioned that this event would motivate young athletes from Odisha and across India to consider a future in rugby. The meeting was attended by several senior officials, including Bhupendra Singh Poonia, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Sports and Youth Services Department; Police Commissioner Suresh Dev Datta Singh; BMC Commissioner Chanchal Rana; Director of Sports and Youth Services Yeddula Vijay; and Deeptimayee Mahapatra, Additional Director of the Information and Public Relations Department.