Unmatched Success: Odisha RFC Women Won National Rugby 15s Championship for the Fourth Time
In a magnificent display of skill and effort, the Odisha Rugby Football Club (ORFC) won its fourth consecutive National Rugby 15s Championship 2023 (Division-1). The women’s squad dominated the final, defeating the Delhi Hurricanes 69-5 at the KIIT Rugby Stadium in Bhubaneswar yesterday.
As defending champions, ORFC enjoyed directly to the semifinals, where they defeated the Rugby Association of Maharashtra (RAM) by a score of 65-5. In the other semifinal, the Delhi Hurricanes defeated Future Hope Harlequins 20-14. Future Hope won the bronze medal, outplaying RAM 37-12.
The championship featured 180 players from seven women’s teams. The event was organized by the Odisha Rugby Football Association under the auspices of the Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU), with support from the Odisha State Sports & Youth Services Department (DSYS) and KIIT Deemed to be University, and took place from February 26 to March 1, 2024.
The 25-member ORFC team, led by Hupi Majhi, showed remarkable teamwork. All 20 participants were from the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS). The trophy presentation ceremony was attended by Prof Achyuta Samanta, the founder of KIIT and KISS. Dignitaries like IRFU president Rahul Bose, vice-president Sanaya Mehta Vyas, and ORFA general secretary Upendra Kumar Mohanty attended the event.
ODISHA RFC WOMEN TEAM:
- Sanjukta Munda
- Soni Mandangi
- Sumitra Nayak
- Manjulata Pradhan
- Basanti Pangi
- Sabita Toppo
- Swopnarani Singh
- Lija Sardar
- Malin Soy
- Poonam Singh
- Reena Sing
- Ranjita Naik
- Jemamani Naik
- Tilotamma Sahoo
- Anuradha Pradhan
- Meerarani Hembram
- Hupi Majhi
- Dumuni Marndi
- Tarulata Nayak
- Nirmalya Rout
- Sandhyarani Tudu
- Sunita Hansdah
- Parbati Kisku
- Rajani Sabar
- Puspanjali Bhoi
Support Staff:
- Coach: Manas Kumar Jena
- Manager: Prangya Paramita Garabadu
- Physio: Soumashree Mishra
This satisfactory result not only displays the team’s prowess but also represents the growing significance of rugby in Odisha, setting a high standard for women’s sports in the region.
