Saloni kumari

The Khelo India Youth Games: The Patliputra Sports Complex ground was painted in celebration on Friday as Bihar’s girls’ rugby team scripted history, clinching a dominant 22-0 win over Odisha to bag the gold medal in the sport’s debut at the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2025. Among the heroes of the day were three gritty young women - Anshu Kumari, Saloni Kumari and Alpana Kumari - who not only powered their side to victory but also embodied a larger narrative of resilience, empowerment and hope.

For Bihar, this wasn’t just another medal - it was a statement. A statement that dreams born in the narrow lanes of Supaul, Patna and Nalanda can shine bright on the national stage. A statement that the ASMITA women’s League - a Khelo India initiative aimed at talent development and nurturing young girls through competition and incentive - is bearing fruit in powerful, transformative ways.

Ten out of the 12 players in Bihar's gold-winning squad have come through the ranks of the ASMITA League (Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action), a grassroots movement that has redefined the scope of women’s sports in Bihar over the past three years. For many of these girls, rugby was once an unfamiliar sport - today, it is their identity.