Kalinga Stadium is all set to host the Under-18 Girls’ Asian Rugby Sevens’ Championship from Friday. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik will inaugurate the three-day-long tournament on Friday evening.

Sports officials said that this would be the first ever international age grade rugby tournament to be hosted in the country. The three-day event will feature a total of 12 countries from across Asia divided into three pools. The participating teams are from Hong Kong, China, the UAE, Philippines, Laos, Qatar, Nepal, Chinese Taipei, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand and the host country India. India is placed in pool B with Sri Lanka and the UAE.

“The matches will be played during daytime and with floodlights as well. Visitors can watch the matches free of cost. Six teams — including China, the UAE, Laos and Qatar — reached Bhubnaeswar on Wednesday, while other teams are likely to reach the city by Thursday. All the players will be accommodated in hostels and guest houses in the state capital,” said a sports department official.

India on Wednesday announced a 12-member team that featured five players from Odisha. The Odia players who featured in the team are Sumitra Nayak, Soni Mandangi, Jenamani Naik, Lija Sardar and Parbati Kisku.

State sports minister Chandrasarathi Behera said that Kalinga Stadium had emerged as a favourite destination for various international tournaments. “It hosted the 22nd Asian Athletics Championship and matches of Indian Super League. It will also host the Men’s Hockey World Cup next month. It has made its place in global sports arena ,” said Behera.

Sports officials said that the tournament would popularise rugby in Odisha. “Rug-by became popular in Odisha in the last few years and a number of Odia players have made it in to the national te-am. We hope that more youths will get attracted to the game after watching the championship,” said the official.