Jalpaiguri (West Bengal): Two girls from the tea gardens made it to the 12-member Indian Rugby squad for the Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou, China, from September 23 to October 8. Sandhya Rai and Lachmi Ora — daughters of the Saraswatipur tea plantation workers in Jalpaiguri district — will also participate in the Asian Games representing the Tricolour.
Currently, Sandhya Rai (23) and Lachmi (24) are sharpening their skills at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) camp ahead of the mega meet. After the girls of Jalpaiguri district's tea garden got a chance in the national team, there is tremendous excitement in the tea garden area.
The Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU) Chairman Rahul Bose came and handed over the jerseys of the Indian national rugby team to both Sandhya and Lachmi.
Nanda Majhi, the coach of the Jungle Crisis organisation in Kolkata, said that they have two coaching camps — one in Kolkata and one in Saraswatipur. "Generally, this initiative is to highlight talented players. The girls from Saraswatipur are playing well. Now two Indians have made it to the team. They will be playing in the Asian Games scheduled for September end," Majhi said.
The Jungle Crows organisation encourages children to play rugby in Saraswatipur tea gardens. Sandhya Rai and Lachmi Ora also participated in the Saraswatipur coaching camp in 2012-13.
"They are the product of the camp. Sandhya and Lachmi have been selected. They have practised well. Just last month, the girls from this tea garden went to France to play in the Jungle Crows Rugby Camp under 13. We are trying to bring more and more girls," Majhi added.
