Mumbai: Maharashtra Olympic Association (MOA) recently announced a month long celebration of Olympics starting from Olympic Day- 23rd June, 2015. As a part of this celebration, The Rugby Association of Maharashtra (RAM) is hosting the Maharashtra Mini Olympics Rugby 7s tournament for senior Men & Women at Bombay Gymkhana Grounds, CST, Mumbai on Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28, 2015 between 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM.

A total of 16 teams will battle for the honors in this championship. As per the ranking, only 8 teams from each category qualified to participate in the Mini Olympic 2015 in Rugby 7s discipline. In the qualifiers, 23 teams from across the state competed in Ambarnath, Thane on 8 -9 May, 2015.

The qualified district teams for the Mini Olympic 2015 are, men’s category – Pune, Mumbai, Mumbai Suburban, Nashik, Kolhapur, Gondia, Thane and Jalgaon. And in women’s category – Pune, Raigadh, Mumbai Suburban, Jalgaon, Gondia, Chandrapur, Thane and Nandurbar

Speaking on this occasion, Sandeep Mosamkar, Joint Secretary- RAM said, “Olympic month is an effort to encourage the sentiment of introducing sports in the lives of youth across the nation. Rugby has been instrumental in transforming the lives of youths across various parts of the State. As a representing body that is passionate about developing the game of Rugby in India; RAM is delighted to be actively involved in the Olympic month celebrations by hosting the Mini Olympics Rugby 7s”.

Further he added, “There is no dearth of talent in rural Maharashtra. Youth from various regions displayed extreme passion and enthusiasm during Rugby qualifier matches held in Thane. We are confident that tomorrow’s championship will be the key to discover the potential of the next breed of national players from across the state”.

Maharashtra State Rugby Team has brought laurels to the State by winning the GOLD Medal on 2 consecutive occasions; the Rugby Sevens Event of the 33rd & 34th National Games of India held in Guwahati (2007) & Ranchi (2011) respectively. And have continued the momentum by winning Silver (Women) and Bronze (Men) Medals in the 35th National Games of India, held in Kerala (2015).”