📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Sumitsurai
Sports
Historic India-New Zealand U20 Rugby Series Kicks Off in Rajgir, Bihar
✍️ Asianet Newsable
🗓 23 Oct 2026, 06:32 AM
👁 25
The city of Rajgir in Bihar has become the venue for a historic under‑20 rugby series between India and New Zealand, marking a first for the sport in the region.
Rajgir, a historic town in Bihar, opened its grounds this week to host an under‑20 rugby series featuring national teams from India and New Zealand. Organized as a bilateral youth competition, the matches are being played under the auspices of the respective rugby unions and have drawn attention from sports officials across the country.
The series is notable for being the first time a New Zealand U20 side has toured India for rugby, and the inaugural occasion for such a contest in Bihar. Stakeholders view the event as a catalyst for expanding the sport’s footprint in a region where cricket traditionally dominates, hoping to inspire local youth to take up rugby.
Local authorities in Rajgir have coordinated logistics, security and crowd management to ensure a smooth tournament. Early attendance figures suggest growing interest, with school groups and sports enthusiasts turning up to watch the high‑tempo games. Organisers anticipate that the exposure will encourage further investment in rugby infrastructure and coaching programs in the state.
The series is notable for being the first time a New Zealand U20 side has toured India for rugby, and the inaugural occasion for such a contest in Bihar. Stakeholders view the event as a catalyst for expanding the sport’s footprint in a region where cricket traditionally dominates, hoping to inspire local youth to take up rugby.
Local authorities in Rajgir have coordinated logistics, security and crowd management to ensure a smooth tournament. Early attendance figures suggest growing interest, with school groups and sports enthusiasts turning up to watch the high‑tempo games. Organisers anticipate that the exposure will encourage further investment in rugby infrastructure and coaching programs in the state.