Nepal men’s team will take on India in their opening match of the Asia Under 20 Rugby Sevens at the Dasharath Stadium on Saturday.

Nepal are drawn in Group ‘B’ along with Malaysia, Hong Kong and India in the tournament while Group ‘A’ comprise Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei and Thailand. The top two sides from each group progress into the semi-final.

The women’s event will feature Thailand, Malaysia and Hong Kong along with hosts Nepal. The women’s event will be played under round robin league. Nepal will vie against Hong Kong in their first game on Saturday. The top two sides after the league round will vie in the final. The tournament will conclude on Sunday.

Organising a press conference on Friday, Nepal Rugby Association (NRA) announced that all the preparations for the event were over. NRA treasurer Deepak Adhikari said that they were hopeful of top three finishes in both men’s and women’s categories.

“Though our target is gold, we are hopeful of at least top three positions in both categories,” said Adhikari. According to NRA General Secretary Gobinda Ghimire, Nepal were coming into the tournament on the back of 50-day closed camp in Pokhara, Kaski. “Sri Lankan coach Sean Wijesinghe has been conducting training to our both men and women’s team,” said Ghimire.

More than 200 players and 25 match officials have already arrived in Kathmandu to participate in the tournament organised under the banner of Asia Rugby in coordination by NRA.