The Sub-Junior National Rugby Sevens Championship is set to commence at the Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE) in Gwalior, with Bihar aiming to defend its title.

The tournament, which will take place over two days, will see participation from 21 teams in the Under-15 girls’ category.

This championship is a significant moment for Indian Rugby as it introduces contact rugby at the sub-junior level.

The shift from touch rugby to contact rugby aligns with the federation’s vision to strengthen national age-grade teams and prepare young players for international competitions. The event will witness 252 players competing for top honours.

Bihar, the reigning champion, will face strong competition from Maharashtra and Rajasthan, who finished second and third, respectively, in the previous edition. Both teams are determined to challenge Bihar’s dominance and claim the gold medal this time.

Rahul Bose, President of the Indian Rugby Football Union, highlighted the importance of the tournament in shaping the future of Indian Rugby.

He stated that many national team players began their journey at age-grade events like this championship. He also expressed gratitude to LNIPE for hosting the tournament and providing a platform for young players to showcase their talent.

The championship will see teams divided into seven pools, each featuring three teams. The pool stage will determine the teams that advance to the next round, leading to an intense contest for the title.

Pool A consists of Bihar, Assam, and Delhi, while Pool B includes Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa. Rajasthan, Haryana, and Manipur are placed in Pool C, whereas Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh form Pool D.

Pool E features Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, while Pool F comprises Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Chandigarh. Kerala, Jammu & Kashmir, and Punjab complete the lineup in Pool G.