30 teams expected for women’s Rugby League in Amritsar

Under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Rugby India is hosting the ASMITA (Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action) Rugby League at Amritsar.

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The season’s second city leg will be held at Guru Nanak Dev University, on September 21 and 22. A total of 30 women’s teams are expected to participate in the two-day tournament, with around 400 participants, including rugby athletes, coaches and match officials. Being an Olympic sport, rugby is one of the fastest growing sport in the country and Punjab. Rugby is part of the second consecutive season of the ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ organised by the Sports Department of the Government of Punjab.

Rahul Bose (president), Indian Rugby Football Union, said at the onset of the league, “The ASMITA Rugby League is an exceptional initiative by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, which saw a tremendous turnout in its inaugural edition (2023) with over 3,400 athletes participating. Young female rugby players in the country now have a vibrant, new platform for them to engage with the sport. We would like to thank the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Authority of India for their continued support and trust.”

Rugby has made a significant mark in the state since last decade, especially in universities in Punjab, and the state has provided many athletes to represent India in international competitions.

Under the Khelo India flagship programme’s scheme component to promote inclusiveness through sports, the objective of the ASMITA League is to infuse a sporting culture and achieve excellence through mass participation of women in sports. For the 2024-25 season, the league shall be held in 10 cities across the country and will feature three age categories, namely: Sub-junior (U-15 girls), Junior (U-18 girls), and Senior Women.