Mayurbhanj to Host Inaugural Maharaja 7s National Rugby Tournament – MSCB Cup 2025 on December 13–14
Bhubaneswar : Mayurbhanj is set to make history with the launch of the Maharaja 7s Rugby Tournament – MSCB Cup 2025, the district’s first-ever national Rugby Sevens championship. Scheduled for December 13–14, 2025, the tournament will take place at Baripada Stadium, positioning Odisha as an emerging hotspot for competitive rugby and grassroots sports development in India.
Organised by Future Star Sports Academy (FSSA) in collaboration with the Mayurbhanj Foundation, the event is endorsed by Maharani Rashmi Rajyalaxmi Bhanj Deo and dedicated to the legacy of Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanj Deo. The tournament aims to promote Rugby Sevens in India, empower young athletes, and showcase Mayurbhanj as a rising centre for sports tourism.
National-Level Rugby Sevens Championship Featuring 14 Teams
The inaugural Maharaja 7s will bring together 9 top men’s teams and 5 women’s teams from across India. More than 200 athletes will participate in this two-day championship, with organisers emphasising equal prize money and visibility for both men’s and women’s categories—reflecting a strong commitment to gender equality in Indian sports.
This focus on inclusion and equity positions the tournament as one of the few national rugby events in India to prioritise balanced representation.
Strengthening Grassroots Sports Through Rugby in Odisha
According to Dibyaranjan Das, Founder of FSSA, the tournament represents more than a competitive platform. He highlighted rugby’s unique ability to build leadership, confidence, and resilience among youth, especially from tribal and rural communities in Mayurbhanj.
FSSA’s Lakshya Grassroots Sports Excellence Model—which includes high-performance coaching, nutrition, education, and gender leadership—has produced remarkable outcomes:
- 42 national representations by FSSA athletes
- Three players representing India internationally
- Standout athlete Sandhyarani Tudu, top scorer for India at the 19th Asian Games
- International players Parbati Hansdah and Arati Murmu
Since 2019, FSSA has supported more than 1,000 underprivileged children with free accommodation, nutrition, primary healthcare, and education—using sport as a tool for dignity, empowerment, and social transformation.
Mayurbhanj Positioned as a New Sports Tourism Destination
The Maharaja 7s Rugby Tournament is expected to attract over 2,000 spectators, along with significant digital, print, and broadcast coverage. The event is poised to bring positive economic and cultural impact to the region, further boosting Mayurbhanj’s profile as a destination for responsible sports tourism.
Maharani Rashmi Rajyalaxmi Bhanj Deo emphasised the tournament’s broader mission: expanding opportunity, enhancing gender equity, and creating long-term pathways for youth through sport.
Event Details – Maharaja 7s Rugby Tournament 2025
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• Dates: 13–14 December 2025
• Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Venue: Baripada Stadium, Baripada, Odisha
• Event: Maharaja 7s Rugby Tournament – MSCB Cup 2025
