ASMITA East Zonal Rugby League to kick off in Guwahati on December 6-7

The ASMITA Zonal Rugby League – East will take place at the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex on December 6 and 7, bringing together the region’s most promising young and senior women rugby players for two days of intense competition.

The tournament will feature teams from Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal in the Senior, Junior, and Sub-Junior categories.

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Rahul Bose, president of the Indian Rugby Football Union, said, “ASMITA has been a brilliant initiative of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, implemented through the Sports Authority of India under the Khelo India Scheme, to enhance women’s participation in sports through organised competitive leagues.”

“It continues to transform the landscape of women’s rugby in India by giving young girls from every corner of the country a genuine platform to compete, grow, and aspire. The rise in participation this year is extraordinary and reflects how deeply the programme is impacting communities. The East Zone League in Guwahati is another step in ensuring that opportunity reaches every girl who wants to play this sport,” he added.

This year has already seen 47 district-level ASMITA leagues nationwide, with over 8,246 athletes and 807 teams participating, showcasing the rapid expansion of opportunities for girls in rugby.

Assam remains one of India’s most active rugby states, with the sport now played across 14 districts, strong support from the sports department, and major events hosted in the state. Earlier this year, Guwahati successfully staged the 12th Senior National Rugby 7s Championship, featuring more than 600 athletes from 26 states.

Assam’s teams have shown strong upward performance trends, with the senior women rising to Rank 9, and the U18 girls entering the top eight nationally. Through ASMITA City Leagues held across five districts, more than 1,000 girls have received structured playing opportunities. The state has also trained new coaches and officials, and implemented World Rugby’s Rugby Rising Initiative across schools.

The ASMITA Zonal Rugby Leagues, conducted across four regions, serve as a crucial step between district competitions and the national stage, providing essential match exposure and helping identify emerging talent.

Following the East Zone event, the West Zone will be held at Patel Stadium, Ajmer, on December 13-14, followed by the South and North Zones, leading into the National ASMITA Championship next month.