Asia's Best Under-20 Rugby Teams Converge in Bihar's Rajgir for Continental Championship

Bihar is going to create a new history in the world of sports once again. From tomorrow (Friday) in the historic city of Rajgir, the best eight men's and eight women's teams of Asia will clash for the Asian title in the most prestigious competition of the continent of Asia "Asia Rugby Under-20 Sevens Championship-2025". Let us tell you that this is the third international competition organized in Bihar in recent times.

A total of 192 male and female players from nine countries, 32 coaches and support staff along with 50 technical officials are participating in the Asia Rugby Under-20 Championship. This two-day championship will run from 9 to 10 August and a total of 40 matches will be played in this championship. Additional Chief Secretary of Sports Department B Rajender told in a press conference held on Thursday that “Rugby Under-20 Sevens Championship will be inaugurated by State Sports Minister Surendra Mehta while State Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar will also be present as the chief guest in this function. Indian men's team captain Sumit Kumar Roy and women's team captain Bhumika Shukla were present in this press conference along with Rugby India President Rahul Bose. Mr. Rajender told that the teams of nine Asian countries participating in this championship in the men's category include China, Hong Kong, UAE, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and host India. Similarly, in the women's category, China, Hong Kong, UAE, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and host India are included. He said that the International Sports Complex located in Rajgir is in the eyes of the world these days. Hero Cup Asian Hockey Championship is being organized in Rajgir Sports Complex from 29 August under the hosting of Bihar. In which teams of eight best hockey playing countries of Asia will participate.

Let us tell you that the Asia Rugby Under-20 Championship is also special for Bihar because four women players from Bihar, Aarti Kumari, Anshu Kumari, Alpana Kumari and Gudiya Kumari have got a place in the Indian women's rugby under-20 team. Similarly, two players from Bihar, Golden Kumar and Sagar Prakash, will compete with the teams of seven other countries of Asia in the Indian men's under-20 team. Mr. Rajender said that the process of foreign teams reaching Rajgir has started from Thursday itself. China's men and women team have reached Rajgir. Teams from all countries are being welcomed at Patna's Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport according to Bihar's hospitality tradition. Accommodation arrangements for all teams have been made in Rajgir itself with high level security.

Indian teams have received training from world class trainers: Rohit Bose

Rugby India President Rahul Bose, who was present in this press conference, said that the preparation of the Indian team in both the categories is very good. A one-month training camp was organized in Kolkata for the preparation of the men's and women's teams. He said that Rugby India has trained the Indian men's and women's teams in the same camp. A world class coach has been arranged for the women's team. Francisco Hernandez of Spain has been appointed for the men's team and Kiano Fourie of South Africa has been appointed for the women's team.