Kolkata, September 9 (Daily Kiran) : The Indian senior women’s rugby sevens team has commenced a crucial phase of its preparations for the 2026 Asian Games. The team is training at the Netaji Subhas Eastern Centre of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in Kolkata. This facility has served as the primary training hub for the Indian rugby team before major international tournaments.
The women’s team will compete in the rugby sevens tournament from October 1 to 3 at the Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium in Nagoya. India has been placed in Pool B alongside reigning champions China, Hong Kong, and Malaysia.
During a press conference held at SAI Kolkata on Wednesday, coach Terence Joseph expressed confidence in the team’s readiness. He stated, “The Asian Games is a significant tournament for us. We are focusing on the team’s nuances and consistency. Much will depend on how we implement our plans in Japan. SAI Kolkata has been the home base for the Indian rugby team, and we have been conducting camps here for the past three years.”
Also present at the press conference were SAI Kolkata’s Regional Director Shibanand Mishra, coach Terence, captain Shikha Yadav, vice-captain Dumini Marandi, and foreign strength and conditioning coach Kiano Fowrie.
Captain Shikha Yadav emphasized the team’s aim to maintain their recent form and consistency from the Asia Rugby Sevens Series at the Asian Games. She noted, “Instead of putting extra pressure on ourselves, we want to stay grounded, follow our plan, and focus on the fundamentals.”
Shikha, along with Dumini, Kalyani Patil, Vaishnavi Patil, Mama Nayak, and Sandhya Rai, who were part of the team during the 2022 Asian Games, have been selected for the 2026 squad as well.
The SAI Kolkata center was also utilized before the 2022 Asian Games, where the women’s team finished in seventh place. The ongoing camp, which runs until September 24, aims to finalize the touring team and refine strategic details necessary for competing against some of the continent’s strongest teams.
Shibanand Mishra assured, “SAI Kolkata has provided the Indian rugby team with all essential facilities, sports science, and other support. I assure you that we will continue to be a base for both men’s and women’s teams in the future. Our relationship with the Rugby Federation is strong, and we are working together to ensure high-quality training support for both teams.”
Before the Aichi-Nagoya Games, a national coaching camp costing ₹19.8 lakhs has been approved by the Sports Authority of India, preparing 20 players. The Indian government has sanctioned a delegation of 492 athletes across 35 sports for Aichi-Nagoya, including 13 players from the women’s rugby team. The current squad benefits from increased international competition and a well-prepared high-performance environment.
The Indian women‘s rugby sevens team made its debut at the Asian Games in 2010 with its first official national team. After missing the 2014 and 2018 editions, the team returned to the 2022 Games in Hangzhou, finishing seventh.
The squad for the 2026 Asian Games includes: Amandeep Kaur, Gudiya Kumari, Ujjwala Ghughe, Parbati Hansda, Aarti Kumari, Dumini Marandi, Vaishnavi Dattatreya Patil, Kalyani Krishnat Patil, Sandhya Rai, Nirmalya Raut, Bhoomika Shukla, Sandhyarani Tudu, and Shikha Yadav.
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