The Societe Generale Indian Under-18 Girls Rugby team finished a creditable fifth in the Rugby sevens discipline for U18 Girls category in Paris World Games 2017 held at the Stade Georges Carpentier, Paris last weekend. The Indian team participated under the aegis of the Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU).
Indian Girls Rugby team
In the Paris World Games Rugby sevens event, a total of 7 teams from across the world including, UAE Federation, Swiss Federation, Atlantis Girls (USA) , AAS Sarcelles, Comité Paris Ile de France, Baby Paris Ladies and India participated and fought for top honors.
The Rugby India girls’ team could not register a win on the opening day of the competition. The results and scores unfortunately did not reflect the competitive and spirited performance of Team India, which was truly applaudable.
The girls enjoyed twin success of the second day by winning both their matches. They recorded an emphatic 50-0 victory over UAE in the first match and they then carried the momentum into their last match of the tournament which saw them come from behind to defeat AAS Sarcelles 17-5.
The Rugby India U18 Girls team also had the opportunity to visit the FFR (French Rugby Federation) Training Facility, in Paris. The girls interacted and trained with the French National Women’s Development team. This was a great experience for the girls.
The 12 Indian players: Sumitra Nayak (Captain), Basanti Pangi, Rajani Sabar, Lija Sardar, Soni Mandangi (all Odisha), Rima Oraon, Lachmi Oraon, Punam Oraon, Sandhya Rai, Suman Oraon (all West Bengal), Gargee Walekar (Maharashtra), Sultana (Delhi).
Rehmuddin Shaikh (Assistant Coach, Mumbai).
Performance of Indian U18 Girls Rugby Team
Day One: Rugby India lost to Baby Paris Ladies 7-29.
Rugby India lost to AAS Sarcelles 10-12.
Rugby India lost to Atlantis Rugby (USA) 0-45.
Day Two: Rugby India beat UAE 50-0.
Rugby India beat AAS Sarcelles 17-5.