Bhubaneswar: The 10th Sub-Junior National Rugby Sevens Championship concluded at the Kalinga Stadium on Saturday with an action-packed final day, highlighting the rising standard of Under-15 girls’ rugby in the country. Bihar emerged champions with a dominant performance in the final, defeating defending champions Maharashtra, while host Odisha delighted the home crowd by securing third place.
The second day of the tournament featured intense knockout matches as teams battled for final rankings and semifinal berths. Bihar continued their impressive form in the quarterfinals with a comprehensive 43-7 win over Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu (DNHDD). Odisha put on a commanding display to overpower Karnataka 55-0. Rajasthan progressed with a 17-7 win over Chandigarh, while Maharashtra edged past West Bengal 24-5 to complete the semifinal lineup.
In the semifinals, Bihar maintained their momentum with a one-sided 35-0 victory over Rajasthan. The other semifinal produced a thrilling contest as Maharashtra staged a comeback to defeat host Odisha 17-14 in a closely fought match that kept spectators on edge.
Odisha responded strongly in the bronze medal playoff, dominating Rajasthan 47-5 to secure third place and cap off a strong campaign on home soil. The final saw a repeat of last year’s title clash between Bihar and Maharashtra, but this time Bihar turned the tables with a convincing 34-7 win. The victory marked Bihar’s fifth title in the last six years in the Girls’ U15 category, underlining their sustained excellence at the sub-junior level.
The closing ceremony was attended by Sachin R. Jadhav, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Sports & Youth Services, Government of Odisha; Dr. Yeddula Vijay, IAS, Director of Sports; and Bijaya Kumar Swain, OAS, Additional Secretary of the department. Rugby India President Rahul Bose, along with Secretary Gerald Prabhu, Odisha Rugby Football Association President Priyadarshi Mishra and Vice President Upendra Kumar Mohanty, were also present to distribute prizes and accolades.
The tournament featured 24 teams and witnessed nearly 1,800 points scored by 112 individual players, reflecting the growing depth of talent in girls’ rugby at the U15 level. Senior players from various states supported the teams as coaches and managers, contributing to a professional and competitive environment.
DNHDD and Chandigarh also produced notable performances, finishing in the top eight for the first time. DNHDD secured fifth place with a 14-5 win over Karnataka, while Chandigarh finished eighth. Odisha’s Sumi Gagarai emerged as the top scorer of the tournament with 104 points, followed by Bihar’s Komal Kumari and Roshani Kumari with 66 and 56 points respectively.
With the Girls’ U15 competition drawing to a close, focus now shifts to the Boys’ U15 National Rugby Sevens Championship, scheduled to be held at the same venue on January 20 and 21, 2026, promising another round of high-energy youth rugby action.
