According to information gathered from different sources, in its reply to Rugby Association of Maharashtra (RAM), Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU), the national governing body, explained that Odisha Rugby Football Association (ORFA) did not conduct the inter-district competition due to heatwave.

Instead of inter-district competition, the Odisha team was selected on the basis of a trial camp with the consent of all affiliated district units of ORFA. Under the circumstances, IRFU allowed the participation of the Odisha team, giving a one-time waiver to the ORFA.

But the decision of IRFU left many questions unanswered. How come other sports activities in Odisha took place during the heatwave? Is it true that all district units did not agree for a selection trial, instead of an inter-district tournament? Was the inter-district tournament reduced to a selection trial to give undue favour to a particular institution.

Is it true that the 12-member Odisha girls team featured eight players from that particular institution? Is it also true that said institution posted a photo of eight of players, claiming that they have been selected to represent the Odisha girls team in the Junior National Championship, but deleted it the next day? How many district units ORFA has and are these units genuine? What do ORFA do with the funds (Rs  4.5 lakh) per year by IRFU?

ODISHA GIRLS TEAM: Ranjulata Naik, Raimani Murmu, Pama Murmu, Mamali Singh, Barsarani Pradhan, Sandhyarani Biswal, Anita Murmu, Basi Oram, Manisha Majhi, Namita Hembram, Sumitra Murmu, Sonali Marandi. Coach: Rajkishor Murmu, Manager: Rajani Sabara, Physio: Kumkum.

MATCHES OF ODISHA GIRLS TEAM:
8 July (Pool-B): Odisha beat Manipur 53-0.
8 July (Pool-B): Odisha beat Uttar Pradesh 38-5.
8 July (Pre-Quarterfinals): Odisha beat Uttarakhand 45-0.
9 July (Quarterfinals): Odisha beat Kerala 32-0.
9 July (Semifinals): Odisha beat Maharashtra 34-0.
9 July (Final): Odisha lost to Bihar 5-14.
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TOP: Players of Odisha girls team pose with the runners-up trophy and silver medals at the Junior National Rugby 7s Championship in Dehradun on 9 July 2025.
RIGHT: Photo of the eight players of Odisha girls rugby 7s team, representing an institution, appeared in social media and disappeared within a day.