The Indian women’s rugby sevens team has started preparing for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with a training camp in Kolkata. The team is using the Sports Authority of India (SAI) facility, which has been their home base before major tournaments.
India will compete in the women’s rugby sevens event at the Asian Games from October 1 to 3 in Nagoya. They are in Pool B alongside China, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Coach Terence Joseph expressed confidence in his team’s ability to perform well in Japan, emphasizing the importance of consistency and execution during the tournament.
Captain Shikha Yadav shared similar sentiments, stating that the team aims to maintain their recent good form from the Asia Rugby Sevens series. The squad includes experienced players like Shikha, Dumini Marandi, and others who were part of the 2022 Asian Games team.
The current camp in Kolkata is focused on selecting the final team and refining strategies for facing strong continental opponents. SAI Kolkata has provided excellent facilities and support, which have been crucial for the team’s development.
Strength and conditioning coach Kiano Fourie highlighted improvements in the players’ physical and technical skills over recent years. The extended training period allows the coaching staff to work on tactics, recovery, strength, and match analysis as an integrated program.
India’s women’s rugby sevens team has come a long way since their debut at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou. After missing the next two editions, they returned in 2022, finishing seventh. The consistent use of dedicated training facilities reflects the growing seriousness of India’s women’s rugby program.
The government has approved a contingent of 492 athletes for the Asian Games, with 13 spots allocated to women’s rugby. The team is now focused on making the most of their time in Kolkata before heading to Japan.