Baripada – Thu :- 14/12/2025 National level Maharaja Sevens Rugby Tournament has been organized at Baripada Stadium Grounds for the first time under the auspices of Rich Mayurbhanj Foundation, Department of Sports and Youth Services of Odisha Government and Future Star Sports Academy and with the support of Mayurbhanj Athletic Association. The tournament held in memory of Bhanjdeo saw the participation of 9 teams in the men’s division with Future Hope Hurricanes of Kolkata as champions, Future Star Sports Academy of Mayurbhanj, Odisha as runners-up and six teams participating in the women’s division with Future Hope of Kolkata as champions. Hurricanes were awarded as runners-up I The champion team was awarded a trophy with an incentive amount of 50 thousand and the runners-up team was awarded with an incentive amount of 30 thousand and a trophy I Foundation Chairperson Maharani Rashmi Rajyalakshmi Bhandeo attended the prize distribution ceremony as the chief guest and Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo distributed the awards and told the players that Rugby is a game of skill and speed. Among others, Minister for Housing and Urban Development Dr. Krishna Chandra Mahapatra, Minister for Forest and Environment Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, Saraskana MLA Bhadav Haasda, Ladasahi MLA Sanatan Ekita, Rairangpur MLA Jalen Naik, State Tribal Morcha President Kandra Soren, District Magistrate Hemkant Sai, RCF Prakash Chand Goginani, Arch. Superintendent Varun Guntupalli, and Mayurbhanj Athletic Association General Secretary Vijay Kumar Das and Football Editor Amar Kumar Sethi were present and encouraged the players I Maharaja Praveen Chandra Bhanjdeo thanked everyone who contributed to make the tournament a success I District Sports Officer Dr. Subhish Naik, Co-organizers Divya Ranjan Das, Bibhudatta Das and Mangal The program was conducted under the leadership of Hasada I Somnath Singh conducted the stage I Ex-national players, all referees, sponsors and health department staff were felicitated on the occasion I