Rugby India announced the final 12-member women’s squad that will compete at the 19th edition of the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China from September 23 to October 8, 2023. Sheetal Sharma, who led the team at the recently-held Borneo 7’s in Malaysia will be leading the squad for the forthcoming continental showpiece. Under her captaincy, India's squad stood fourth in the tournament in Malaysia.
The President of Indian Rugby Football Union, Rahul Bose said on the occasion of the team announcement, “At the end of this 50-day camp, Rugby India can confidently say this is the best-prepared squad of athletes we have. We owe it all to our coaching staff who have prepared our players mentally, physically, and psychologically for this unique opportunity. Our only wish is that the country gets behind our women. Let us all be the wind beneath their wings.”
Sheetal Sharma, who is holding the team's helm in the tournament said that they are determined enough to put in their best effort and bring laurels to the country. Sharma said, “We as an entire team carry the hopes of the country, which will become our greatest strength at the Asian Games. No matter the opposition, we have been taught to never take a step back.”
Sharma added, “We are ready to take on the competition and it will be a culmination of everything we have worked hard for in the camp over the last 40 days. The coaching has been brilliant and the facilities have been the best for any athlete training for a tournament of this calibre. We look forward to competing at the Asian Games.”
Here is the Indian women’s rugby team:
Sweta Shahi, Sandhya Rai (Vice Captain), Mama Naik, Kalyani Patil, Vaishnavi Patil, Lachmi Oraon, Dumuni Marndi, Hupi Majhi, Shikha Yadav, Tarulata Naik, Sheetal Sharma (Captain), and Priya Bansal.
