Junior National Rugby 7s: Odisha girls secure silver

Odisha girls settled for the silver medal in the recently concluded 10th Junior (U-18) National Rugby 7s Championship, after losing to Bihar 5-14 in the final at Ganga Athletics Stadium, Maharana Pratap Sports S College, Dehradun in Uttarakhand.

While Bihar retained the title, this is the second successive time that Odisha girls finished runners-up in the tournament.

Maharashtra bagged the bronze medal, defeating Uttar Pradesh 17-12. Earlier in the semifinals, Odisha mauled Maharashtra 34-0, while Bihar thrashed Uttar Pradesh 46-0. 

As per sources, the two-day championship kicked up a controversy over participation of the Odisha team. The Odisha team allegedly violated the rules, prescribed in the participation agreement. As per the allegation, instead of inter-district competition, the Odisha team was selected on the basis of a trial camp with the consent of all affiliated district units of ORFA.

Odisha Girls' Squad:

Ranjulata Naik, Raimani Murmu, Pama Murmu, Mamali Singh, Barsarani Pradhan, Sandhyarani Biswal, Anita Murmu, Basi Oram, Manisha Majhi, Namita Hembram, Sumitra Murmu, Sonali Marandi. Coach: Rajkishor Murmu, Manager: Rajani Sabara, Physio: Kumkum.