International Rugby Returns to Bhubaneswar After Eight Years; Asia U20 Sevens Trophy Unveiled

Bhubaneswar: The official trophy of the Asia Rugby Emirates U20 Sevens 2026 was unveiled by Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj on Friday, ahead of the two-day international championship scheduled to begin at Kalinga Stadium on November 14.

The tournament will bring together 17 teams from 10 Asian nations, with 10 teams competing in the men’s category and seven in the women’s category. The participating countries include India, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong China, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei, Nepal and Jordan.

The championship marks the return of international rugby to Bhubaneswar after eight years. The city last hosted an international rugby event in 2018.

Speaking at the trophy unveiling ceremony, Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said Odisha was delighted to host the international championship. He said the State’s investment in sports infrastructure and experience in hosting major competitions reflected its commitment to creating opportunities for athletes. He also highlighted the focus on identifying grassroots talent and providing young sportspersons with the necessary training and support to compete at national and international levels.

Gerald Prabhu, Executive Committee Member of Asia Rugby and Secretary General of Rugby India, said hosting international competitions would help strengthen the growth of rugby in India by providing domestic players an opportunity to compete against strong international teams. He noted that the return of international rugby to Odisha after eight years would further strengthen the State’s association with the sport.

Asia Rugby CEO Benjamin van Rooyen said India was steadily strengthening its position as an emerging rugby nation in Asia, with growing participation and development initiatives. He said the championship would provide an important platform for young Indian players to compete against leading age-group teams from across the region.

In the men’s competition, 10 teams have been divided into two pools. Group A comprises Hong Kong China, India, Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei and Nepal, while Group B includes Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Jordan.

The women’s competition will feature seven teams across two pools. Group C includes Hong Kong China, Malaysia and Thailand, while Group D comprises India, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Nepal.

India will play six pool matches on the opening day, November 14, across the men’s and women’s categories. The men’s team will face Uzbekistan at 9 am, while the women’s team will take on Nepal at 11.12 am and Singapore at 2.22 pm. The women’s side will play Sri Lanka at 4.56 pm, while the men’s team will face Hong Kong China at 3.28 pm and Nepal at 5.40 pm.

On November 15, India will face Chinese Taipei in the men’s category at 9 am. The remaining group-stage matches will be followed by the knockout rounds, with teams competing for the championship titles and final standings.

Odisha has continued to strengthen its association with rugby through several national-level competitions held in 2026, including the Sub-Junior National Rugby Sevens Championship, National Rugby 15s Championship and ASMITA National League. The State has also contributed five players to India’s women’s rugby squad at the Asian Games.

The championship follows India’s hosting of the India-New Zealand U20 Rugby Series in Rajgir, Bihar, in October this year.

With teams from across Asia arriving in Bhubaneswar, the tournament is expected to provide young rugby players an international platform while further adding to Odisha’s growing calendar of sporting events.