Asian rugby championship kicks off on November 9

“It would be a two-day event,with matches being played from 9 am to 6 pm on both days,” said Ross Mitchell,the honorary general secretary of ARFU.

“As many as 11 countries,including defending champions China and hosts India,would participate in the event,” said Maneck Unwala,director,IRFU.

The 11 teams have been divided into two groups. Group A consists of top seed China,Sri Lanka,India,fourth seed Kazakhstan and Thailand,while group B has second seed Japan,third seed Hong Kong,Singapore,Philippines,UAE and Iran.

“Teams will play every other team in their group on the first day. The second day would see the top team from each group face each other,” said Mitchell.

Teams placed second,third,fourth and fifth in each group would also take on each other,respectively,on the second day. Mitchell said the winner of the match between the top two teams would win the competition. The other teams would play for placings.

The Indian team is being coached by New Zealander Henry Paul for this tournament. “We have had a good training session in Alibaug for two weeks. Now we are practising at Balewadi under top class facilities. Our girls are smaller in size compared to the members of some of the other teams,but we have got speed on our side. And in Rugby Sevens,it’s the team that plays with high spirits that can upset stronger units. I am sure our girls are ready for the task,” said Paul.

All sports enthusiasts can watch the event and the entry to Balewadi sports complex will be free.