Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The Government of Odisha, BLADE India & Rugby India announce cash rewards to Players for winning silver at Asia Rugby U18 Girls Rugby Sevens Championship 2021 at Uzbekistan Bhubaneswar, 22nd September 2021: Rugby India in conjunction with the Government of Odisha and other partners, today, felicitated and honoured the Indian U18 Girls Rugby team for winning silver at the Asia Rugby U18 Girls Rugby Sevens Championship 2021 held at Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
According to the reports, total of five countries from across Asia – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, United Arab Emirates (UAE), India and the hosts, Uzbekistan, vied for top honours at the championship. At the felicitation ceremony, the Government of Odisha, Rugby India and supporting partner Blade Urban Air Mobility (India) announced cash rewards (ranging from 4 to 5 lakhs per partner) to the Indian U18 Girls Rugby team and Coaches for their stellar achievement. Thus, the total purse of bonuses comes to approx 15 lakhs for the 15 person squad.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik congratulated the Indian U18 Girls Rugby team for winning silver at the Asia Rugby U18 Girls Rugby Sevens Championship 2021 held at Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
In a video message to the young Rugby players, Naveen said, “My hearty congratulations to the Under 18 girls national rugby team on being silver medalists at the regional Asian Sevens Rugby Championships in Tashkent. You played brilliantly and narrowly missed the gold. We are very proud of this achievement. You have shown grit, speed, skill and fierce determination. I am sure this is the start of a new journey. In the coming years, you will all make history. Odisha will continue to partner with Rugby India and support this endeavour. All the best.”
The felicitation ceremony was held at Odisha State Convention Centre, Lok Seva Bhavan, Bhubaneswar and the eminent dignitaries present were, Sports Minister Tusharkanti Behera, Lok Sabha Member Achyuta Samanta, Sports Secretary Vineel Krishna, Vikram Ahuja, President, Indian Rugby Football Union, Rahul Bose, Board member of Rugby India and Priyadarshi Mishra, President, Odisha Rugby Football Association.
