From Tiger Reserve Shadows to National Rugby Glory: Odisha's Tribal Girls Forge New Path
Nestled on the periphery of Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha's tribal-majority Mayurbhanj district, the village of Bholagadia has become an unlikely epicenter of sporting transformation. While the national park is renowned as the only abode of the elusive black tiger, this remote community is now breeding a different kind of rarity: determined young rugby players who are rewriting their destinies and putting their region firmly on India's sporting map.
A Grassroots Movement Led by Determined Girls
What makes this story particularly remarkable is that girls are playing the leading role in this sporting revolution. These determined young women, many from marginalized tribal communities, are sprinting, passing, and tackling with a confidence that often surpasses their male counterparts. Their journey represents not just athletic achievement but a profound social transformation in a region where early marriage has traditionally limited girls' opportunities.
At the modest arena in Bholagadia, Arati Murmu, 21, commands the field with quiet authority. Her journey began at age 11 when she first picked up a rugby ball, unaware it would one day define her life. At 17, facing pressure for early marriage, she fled home and found refuge at the rugby training center. Today, she holds two national gold medals and has brought financial security to her family through her achievements.
Overcoming Cultural Barriers with 'Just One Chance'
The path to rugby glory has been paved with significant cultural hurdles. Parbati Hansdah, 20, recalls facing stiff resistance when she chose to pursue rugby after class 10. "I asked my parents to give me just one chance. They agreed, but only for a year. If I failed, I'd have to get married," she remembers. She did not fail. Since that pivotal moment, Parbati has represented Odisha and India at eight national and two international meets, collecting four gold and two silver medals.
J Sushil Hembram of the Mayurbhanj District Rugby Football Association (MDRFA) explains the initial challenges: "It wasn't easy convincing the parents of the girls. This is a region where early marriage is still practised. Parents worry more about marrying off their daughters before 18 than allowing them to play a game like rugby, where injuries are common." The association faced questions like "Who will marry them if they break their hands and legs?" in local dialects, requiring extensive persuasion and counseling.
The Visionaries Behind the Revolution
The rugby revolution in Mayurbhanj began in 2019 when three former rugby players—J Sushil Hembram, Sunaram Kisku, and Dibyaranjan Das—decided to bring the sport to their home villages. Having studied and played in Bhubaneswar, where they witnessed how structured training at institutions like Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences could transform raw talent into national-level players, they were determined to recreate that model in Mayurbhanj.
Das established Future Star Sports Academy in Baripada, while Hembram and Kisku founded the MDRFA with headquarters at Bholagadia. Before formal academies took shape, they traveled extensively across Mayurbhanj, visiting schools to scout young talent in the 8-17 age group. Their focus was on children from tribes like Santal, Munda, and Ho—many from families dependent on marginal farming and daily-wage labor, some raised by single mothers struggling to make ends meet, and some orphans.
Community Support Sustains the Dream
What makes Mayurbhanj's rugby story unique is that it's sustained not by government initiatives but largely by local community support. In a region with limited resources, villagers help with whatever they can—from food to funds. Tribal communities in Bholagadia and nearby villages donate rice, vegetables, and pulses every month to ensure trainees receive nutritious food.
"There are panchayat meetings every fortnight. Whenever there is a shortage, we place a list of groceries that are needed, and villagers send everything to our center," explains Hembram. During surplus harvest seasons, a significant portion of produce goes directly to training centers, while the rest is sold in local markets. Support also comes from migrated youths who have become professionals and the Mayurbhanj Foundation, established by erstwhile royals.
Transforming Lives and Communities
The impact extends far beyond the rugby field. Arati's story exemplifies this transformation: her father, who once considered early marriage for her, now sees how rugby has brought recognition and financial support to their family. When she returned home with cheques of ₹5 lakh and ₹6 lakh—awards from the Odisha government for gold medals at Senior National Games—and placed them in her father's hands, she described the moment as "empowering in the truest sense."
Parbati notes the changing perceptions: "When I decided to play rugby, my parents were reluctant; wearing shorts and playing a sport considered manly was looked down upon in our society. But when I played for Odisha and India and won gold, my father was the proudest. He now tells everyone to allow their daughters to take up the sport."
Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite remarkable progress, significant challenges persist. Nutrition remains the primary concern, with community donations ensuring three meals daily but not necessarily balanced nutrition tailored for athletes undergoing rigorous training. Infrastructure presents another hurdle, as lack of quality playgrounds and training facilities makes high-level practice difficult.
Yet, the achievements speak volumes. "Today, Mayurbhanj sends the highest number of players to Indian rugby, and most of them are girls," says Das with pride. Some players who excelled nationally have received job offers from government and private organizations, creating pathways beyond sports.
A Legacy of Sporting Excellence
This rugby revolution builds upon Mayurbhanj's historical sporting DNA. As Akshita M Bhanj Deo, a member of the Mayurbhanj royal family, notes: "Sport has always been part of Mayurbhanj's DNA—from the warrior discipline of chhau and akhada-style training to mudhi mangsho, known as the breakfast of warriors. Since the princely era, the Bhanj Deo rulers have promoted sport." The same villages that produced athletes a century ago continue that legacy today through rugby.
From modest beginnings with just 5-10 trainees each, Future Star Academy and MDRFA now boast over 100 youths who have played at national levels, with several more in training. Arati, Parbati, and Sandhyarani Tudu have already represented India internationally across junior and senior categories. At both centers, food, accommodation, and training are provided free of cost, with trainees continuing education at nearby government schools and colleges or through distance learning.
As India remains a developing nation in world rugby rankings—the women's team at No. 56, the men at No. 86—the girls training in Mayurbhanj's villages demonstrate that no hurdle is too high when a community comes together to support its youth. Their story represents more than athletic achievement; it's a testament to how sport can transform individual lives, challenge social norms, and build stronger communities from the ground up.
