Upbeat India U-20 girls all set for Rugby Sevens C'ships

The round-robin format event will be played from August 4 and 5. China, Thailand, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Singapore and host Hong Kong will also take part.

The Under-20 team in front of the UNESCO World Heritage site Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station building in Mumbai.

Ruchi Shetty, captain for the Asian under-20 girls rugby sevens championship, appeared confident of her team’s performance. The round-robin format event will be played from August 4 and 5. China, Thailand, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Singapore and host Hong Kong will also take part.

“We have been training for the past two weeks and expect a tough time, as most of the other teams are heavyweight sides. We have an advantage as we have the skills and speed, which we would try and put to maximum use,” said Ruchi.

The team, supported by Societe Geerale, trained at Bombay Gymkhana.

Nasser Hussain, general manager of Rugby India, mentioned that this tournament would provide the girls an opportunity to gain experience and get ready for the forthcoming Asian Games.

“This will be a stiff competition for our girls who possess the talent and have the potential. We would also use this tournament as a build up to 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia,” said Hussain.

The team: Ruchi Shetty (captain), Gargee Walekar, Neelam Patil (all Maharashtra); Ria Bisht (Delhi); Rajani Sabar, Basanti Pangi, Manjulata Pradhan, Kabita Kasturi (all Odisha); Chanda Oraon, Swapna Oraon, Suman Oraon, Punam Oraon (all Bengal). Coach: Rehmuddin Shaikh (Maharashtra).