Bhubaneswar is set to welcome Asia’s brightest young rugby talent as the Asia Rugby Emirates Under-20 Sevens Championship 2026 gets underway at the iconic Kalinga Stadium on November 14 and 15.
The two-day continental championship, organised by Asia Rugby with Rugby India as host and Emirates as title partner, will see 17 teams from 10 nations compete for men’s and women’s titles, marking the return of international rugby to Odisha after eight years.
Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj unveiled the championship trophy, describing the event as a matter of pride and honour for the state. “Hosting an international-level rugby championship is a moment of glory for Odisha. It will inspire young athletes across the country and the state to build their futures in sport,” he said.
The minister noted that Kalinga Stadium has already hosted three national-level rugby events this year — the Sub-Junior National Rugby Sevens Championship, the ASMITA Rugby League (National), and the National Rugby 15s Championship (Division I) — underlining the state’s growing stature as a rugby hub.
Strong Odisha Representation
A total of eight players from Odisha have earned places in the Indian Under-20 squads — five in the men’s team and three in the women’s team — giving the host state a special stake in the outcome.
Indian Men’s Squad (Captain: Pushpender; Vice-Captain: Rajan Rawat): Ajit Nag, Aman, Arun Prajapat, Bharat Kisan, Bidyadhar Majhi, Charan Hembram, Naman Yadav, Rahul Majhi, Rohit Kumar and Subash Hansdah.
Indian Women’s Squad (Captain: Tanushree Bhosale; Vice-Captain: Mamali Singh): Akshaya NS, Anita Murmu, Anushka Sankpal, Dipali Tathe, Khushi Devi, Kirti Jadhav, Aditi Sakharam Londhe, Saloni Kumari, Samruddhi Kadam and Sumitra Murmu.
Participating Nations and Pools
Ten nations — India, Hong Kong China, Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Jordan — will field 10 men’s teams and seven women’s teams.
Defending men’s champions Hong Kong China share Pool A with hosts India, Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei and Nepal. India open their campaign against Uzbekistan at 9:00 am on November 14 before facing Hong Kong China later the same day. Sri Lanka head Pool B alongside Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Jordan.
In the women’s competition, 2025 runners-up Hong Kong China are in Pool C with Malaysia, Thailand and Nepal, while India are drawn in Pool D with Sri Lanka and Singapore. The women’s final is scheduled for 17:34 and the men’s final for 17:56 on Sunday, November 15.
Cultural Touch and Wider Significance
The championship logo, unveiled earlier, draws inspiration from Odisha’s traditional Jhoti Chita art, blending the state’s cultural heritage with the energy of rugby sevens. Asia Rugby CEO Benjamin van Rooyen and Rugby India Secretary General G. Prabhu welcomed the hosting of the event in Odisha, praising the state’s ability to stage high-quality national and international competitions and wishing all athletes the best.
Entry to matches at Kalinga Stadium is free, and action will be streamed live on Asia Rugby’s official YouTube and Facebook channels.
With a packed schedule, strong home support, and eight local players in the Indian jersey, the Asia Rugby Emirates Under-20 Sevens Championship 2026 promises two days of high-intensity rugby and a significant boost for the sport’s growth in India and Odisha.
