Baripada – Date: 22/09/2026.Adverse circumstances and financial hardship can never become a barrier to talent, and this has once again been proved by talented Mayurbhanj district athlete Sandhyarani Tudu. Overcoming numerous hardships, she has secured a place in the Indian women’s rugby team for the Asian Games, the prestigious international multi-sport event. She will represent India at the prestigious event, which is scheduled to be held from October 1 to 3, 2026, at the Mizuho Park Rugby Field in Nagoya, Japan.
Coming from an ordinary family in Mayurbhanj, Sandhyarani’s achievement has been made possible through the training and support of Future Star Sports Academy in Baripada. Lack of resources, difficulties and limited facilities could never stand in the way of her goal. Through her strong determination and hard work, she has been able to retain her place in the national rugby team.
After the Olympics, the Asian Games is one of the world’s largest multi-sport events. Popularly known as the ‘Asian Games’ or ‘Asiad’, it is the biggest sporting event in the Asian continent and is governed by the Olympic Council of Asia. The representation of India by a talent from Future Star Sports Academy on such a global platform is a matter of pride and honour for the entire district as well as the state.
For Sandhyarani’s remarkable achievement, Mayurbhanj Maharaja Praveen Chandra Bhanjadeo, Maharani Rashmi Rajlakshmi Bhanjadeo, Bhanj Sena founder Kalinga Keshari Jena, District Sports Officer Subhashish Nayak, Mayurbhanj District Sports Association Secretary Bijay Kumar Das, Baripada Municipal Council Chairperson Krishnananda Mohanty, Academy Director Amar Kumar Sethi, advisers Somanath Singh and Mangal Hansda, co-founder Rupali Soren, Sai Kiran Nayak, founder Dibya Ranjan Das, and coaches Chandan Singh, Rajkishore Patra and Ajit Kumar Hansda have extended their congratulations.
The academy’s players and founder Shri Das expressed their gratitude for the support extended by the Mayurbhanj District Rugby Association, Odisha Rugby Association and the State Sports and Youth Services Department.
