National School Games Rugby Championship Kicks Off in Odisha
Bhubaneswar, April 6: The 69th National School Games Federation of India (SGFI) Rugby Championship 2025–26 kicked off today at the iconic Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.
The five‑day event, running from April 6 to 10, brings together nearly 460 young athletes from 15 states and educational boards to showcase their rugby talent.
The championship was inaugurated by Shri Bhupendra Singh Poonia, Commissioner‑cum‑Secretary of Sports & Youth Services Department, in the presence of dignitaries including Dr N. Thirumala Naik, Shri Birendra Korkora, Shri Jyoti Prasad Parida, SGFI Observer Arvind Yadav, and international rugby player Dumuni Marandi.
The tournament features two categories: Under‑17 matches on April 6–7 and Under‑14 matches on April 9–10.
Participating teams represent states such as Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, along with CBSE Welfare Sports Organisation and CISCE.
Speakers at the inauguration highlighted Odisha’s emergence as a hub for international sporting events and encouraged young athletes to aim for global representation.
The championship not only celebrates sportsmanship but also strengthens India’s grassroots rugby ecosystem.
