Kalinga Stadium became the sports fest hub as, alongside the ongoing Hockey India League 2026, the 10th Sub-Junior National Rugby Sevens Championship was successfully hosted at the venue, concluding with Bihar emerging as champions in both the Boys’ and Girls’ Under-15 categories. The four-day national championship brought the curtain down on a high-intensity showcase of India’s most promising young rugby talent from across the country.
The championship witnessed participation from 24 states, with over 550 Under-15 athletes competing across 68 matches each in the boys’ and girls’ categories. The event was supported by more than 100 team officials and 30 national technical officials. Hosted by Odisha in collaboration with Rugby India, the tournament unfolded seamlessly at the world-class Kalinga Stadium, reinforcing the growing depth and competitiveness of age-group rugby in India.
Girls’ Championship: Bihar Claim Title, Odisha Secure Bronze
The Girls’ Under-15 competition concluded with a dramatic final day of knockout action. Bihar emerged champions, defeating defending champions Maharashtra 34-7 in a rematch of last year’s final, avenging their previous defeat and securing their fifth title in six years in this category.
Hosts Odisha capped off a strong campaign by clinching the bronze medal, dominating Rajasthan 47-5 in the third-place playoff in front of a vocal home crowd. The result underlined Odisha’s growing consistency at the national youth level and marked another significant podium finish for the state.
Boys’ Championship: Bihar Continue Dominance, Rajasthan and Odisha Impress
In the Boys’ Under-15 category, Bihar once again asserted their dominance, lifting the national title after an unbeaten campaign marked by physicality, speed, and tactical discipline. Odisha finished as runners-up, delivering a spirited performance throughout the tournament and producing one of the standout moments of the competition with a dramatic semifinal comeback win over Rajasthan.
Rajasthan claimed the bronze medal after defeating Maharashtra 38-7 in the third-place playoff, rounding off a strong showing from the northern state.
Competitive Depth and Development Impact
Across both championships, the tournament recorded more than 1,800 points and over 110 individual scorers, reflecting the attacking intent and growing technical confidence at the Under-15 level. A notable feature was the presence of senior and former state players serving as coaches and managers, providing mentorship and reinforcing the championship’s role as a key development platform in India’s rugby pathway.
Praise for Hosting and Infrastructure
Shri Rahul Bose, President, Rugby India, praised the execution and facilities in Bhubaneswar, stating:
“The 10th Sub-Junior National Rugby Sevens Championship has shown a clear leap forward in performances compared to last year, with young athletes demonstrating improved technique, tactical understanding, and adaptability to the game’s evolving style. The way teams are progressing and preparing for the next stage at the U18 level is very encouraging. Hosting tournaments like this requires care, commitment and vision, and Odisha delivered on both counts. We look forward to doing much more here in the future, because at Rugby India, our priority will always be to do right by our players and give them platforms where they can grow, perform, and feel valued.”
Members of the winning teams echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the quality of infrastructure, accommodation, medical support, and match operations, while appreciating the exposure gained from competing in a high-performance national setting.
“We loved playing at Kalinga Stadium. The infrastructure was excellent, along with the quality of accommodation, food and medical support. Competing against different teams was a tough challenge, but we gave our best and clinched the gold to become champions. We are extremely happy.”
A Model for Youth Sport Hosting
With smooth scheduling, well-managed logistics, and strong spectator engagement, the 10th Sub-Junior National Rugby Sevens Championship stood out as a model youth sporting event. With the Sub-Junior Nationals concluded, attention now turns to the continued expansion of India’s rugby ecosystem, built on strong grassroots participation, structured competition, and world-class hosting standards demonstrated at Kalinga Stadium.
Shri Sachin R. Jadhav, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, speaking on future plans for rugby development, stated: “We are proud to host the Sub-Junior National Rugby Sevens Championships for boys and girls in association with Rugby India and the Odisha Rugby Football Association. The four-day championship was a true celebration of the sport, bringing together teams from across the country, where young players enjoyed the game while competing at a high level. Grassroots development remains our strongest focus, and Odisha has consistently been a strong rugby state. By continuing to invest at the grassroots, we aim to produce more quality rugby players in the near future. This championship marks just the beginning, with the National ASMITA Women’s Rugby League scheduled from 31st January to 1st February 2026, followed by the Rugby 15s Championships in March.”
