Dikhyaa Mohanty 
At the just ended Junior National Rugby 7s Championship 2023, the Odisha U18 girls were crowned champions on Tuesday after defeating the host team Maharashtra 52-0 at Balewadi, Pune. Over the span of two days, 27 states battled it out for dominance. Odisha, who finished second in the last competition, won their group, which also included Gujarat and Jharkhand. Following the group rounds, the ladies from Odisha continued to show their superiority with a 56-0 victory over Uttarakhand in the quarterfinals and a tenacious 22-17 victory against fellow finalists and Champions Bihar in the semifinals.
Coach Sanjukta Munda stated of his team’s outstanding performance at the competition, “We are happy with the result. The girls worked really hard in the run-up to the event, and now they are reaping the benefits. She said, “Without the assistance of the Sports and Youth Services Department, Odisha, and Odisha Rugby Football Association, this would not have been feasible. We had access to excellent facilities and infrastructure, which helped us perform effectively.
The Championship is yet another honor for Odisha, who consistently reaffirms their dedication to the development and growth of Indian sports. The Men’s and Women’s Rugby teams frequently call the state home and frequently have camps there. Additionally, the National Women’s Junior and Senior Rugby teams are sponsored by the Government of Odisha. 19 positions for international rugby players were also announced by the Odisha government in 2022.
The Senior National Rugby 7s Championship for women, followed by the Junior and Senior National Rugby 7s Championship for men, will also include competition for Odisha throughout the coming days.
