Picture Credit: Twitter
The Indian women's rugby 7s squad, which is now rated seventh on the continent, has earned a spot in the 2023 Asian Games, which will take place from September 23 to October 8 in Hangzhou, China.
For the past several years, the Indian squad has continuously performed well in the Asian arena. Most recently, the team won the Asia Rugby 7s Trophy, the Asia Rugby U20 Championship, and the Asia Rugby U18 Championship, where they also won three consecutive silver medals.
The camp, which began on July 29 and will last till September 20 at the SAI Netaji Subhas Eastern Centre in Kolkata, West Bengal, will reveal the final travelling squad that will represent India at the Asian Games. Ludwiche Van Deventer, head coach of India Rugby, together with assistant coaches Kiano Fourie and Terrence Joseph, have selected 40 players for the camp who will train.
“This is a great day in the history of Indian Rugby. We are privileged to have the opportunity for our women to compete at the Asian Games. Seeded 7th, we hope that our women will punch above their weight. Preparations are in full swing here at the Sports Authority of India in Kolkata, where the team will train for a period of around two months, before they leave for Hangzhou, China on September 20," stated Rahul Bose, President of the Indian Rugby Football Union.
He also requested Indian fans to support the rugby team so that the team can become a powerful force in the Asian circuit.
Kalyani Patil to be a part of the training camp
Kalyani Patil, Lachmi Oraon, Sheetal Sharma, Shweta Shahi, Jyothi Yellamma, Mama Naik, and Chelsea Goswami are notable athletes that are a part of the camp and could be included in the 14-person travelling squad for the Asian Games in Hangzhou.
