As Bihar’s girls’ rugby team made history on Friday by defeating Odisha 22-0 to win the gold medal in the sport’s debut at the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2025, the Patliputra Sports Complex was decked out in celebration. Three tough young women—Anshu Kumari, Saloni Kumari, and Alpana Kumari—were among the day’s heroes because they not only led their team to victory but also personified a greater story of resiliency, empowerment, and optimism.

This was more than simply another medal for Bihar; it was a declaration. A declaration that the national stage may see the brilliance of visions conceived in the backstreets of Supaul, Patna, and Nalanda. A claim that the ASMITA women’s league, a Khelo India project that fosters young girls’ potential and growth via competition and incentives, is having significant, life-changing effects.

The ASMITA League (Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action), a grassroots initiative that has reshaped the landscape of women’s sports in Bihar over the last three years, is where ten of the twelve players in the gold-winning team from Bihar came from. Rugby used to be a foreign sport to many of these females, but now it is a part of who they are.

A few years ago, none of us had ever heard of rugby. We had participated in several sports before coming to rugby due to a variety of situations. Shortly after the victory, the three said, “Then the ASMITA League was introduced, bringing the sport to our districts, our schools, and our lives.”

“The league provided us with confidence, a purpose, and a platform. That was the beginning of this adventure.

After earning a bronze at the U-14 nationals in Pune, Anshu, a Class 12 student whose father owns a small confectionery, made a big impression. Now a proud street vendor’s daughter, Saloni remembers leading India’s U-18 team in the Asian Rugby Championship in Malaysia. And Alpana stood up, demonstrating why tenacity overcomes all obstacles, despite suffering many injuries, including a shattered collarbone and a terrible traffic collision.

“This gold is not just for us; it’s for all girls who have the courage to dream big. With pride in their eyes, they said, “It’s for every parent who encouraged us and every coach who had faith in us.”

Young athletes now use the Khelo India Youth Games as a crucial launching platform. Many people, like Anshu, Saloni, and Alpana, see a KIYG medal as more than simply a feat; it’s a potential route to national camps, employment, and lasting acclaim.

Seniors who have won medals have been hired by the government. The dream is that. As the girls participated in the celebrations for the boys’ rugby team, who later in the evening overcame Odisha to win gold, they expressed their optimism that this gold would help them get closer to their objective.

Amidst applause, tears, and high fives on a momentous day for Bihar rugby, the message was clear: this is just the beginning. Bihar’s girls are racing towards a bright future with KIYG providing them with a platform and ASMITA establishing the groundwork.