Bhubneshwar, 10th April, 2025: With the inaugural season of the Rugby Premier League (RPL) on the horizon, Odisha’s franchise — the Kalinga Black Tigers — enters the league with a formidable squad and a strong Odia identity. Officially unveiled at the recently concluded RPL auction in Mumbai, the team marks a new chapter in Odisha’s sporting journey. Backed by Mr. Karan Pal Singh, Founder of Hunch Ventures, a global investment firm with deep ties to the state, the franchise proudly reflects its roots, with Asis Sabar representing Odisha on the field and Rajeev Nath serving as Assistant Coach.
Drawing inspiration from the rare and melanistic black tigers native to the region, the Kalinga Black Tigers symbolize strength, agility, and the fighting spirit of Odisha. The team’s unveiling has generated a wave of excitement across the state, with rugby fans and local sports communities rallying behind the newest addition to Odisha’s sports ecosystem.
At the auction, the Kalinga Black Tigers made a strong statement, assembling a high-impact team through a combination of international draft picks and top Indian talent. The squad features global rugby stars like Perry Baker, Rosko Specman, Harry McNulty, Maurice Longbottom, Lucas Lacamp, Kyle Tremblay, Ethan Turner, James Thiel— all selected during the draft.
During the auction, the franchise also secured a strong lineup of Indian players, including Asis Sabar — a proud Odia who is expected to play a key role, along with Ajay Deswal, Pappu Todkar, Pardeep Singh, and Arjun Mahato.
Leading the charge for the Kalinga Black Tigers is Mike Friday, a globally celebrated coach known for his tactical mind and transformative leadership. After a stellar 10-year stint as head coach of the U.S. national sevens team, appointed by USA Rugby, Friday now brings his winning mindset to the Tigers. Joining him in the dugout is Assistant Coach Rajeev Nath, a former captain of Odisha men’s rugby team. A proud Odia, Nath brings a strong connection to the region and a deep commitment to grassroots development—both of which will be key in guiding and nurturing the next generation of local rugby talent.
“Interestingly, Rugby has been played in Odisha for a while, especially by the tribal community which has today translated into a large contingent playing at the national level.
Rugby has an immense international following and is growing significantly nationally. Odisha, has been a strong supporter in growing an array of sports and Rugby in the state will greatly benefit from this.” Said Mr. Karan Pal Singh, co-owner of the Kalinga Black Tigers and founder of Hunch Ventures.
Head Coach Mike Friday echoed this sentiment “We have assembled a highly competitive group of players internationally exceptional from all corners of the world and locally exciting talent with real potential. All of us are excited for the challenge and opportunity of representing the Kalinga Black Tigers and the people of the Odisha region. We know we have the ability amongst the playing group and will work very hard to become a cohesive tight team to make a strong run in the competition and will give our best to win the inaugural season of the RPL.”
Team practice sessions will begin on May 18 and continue until June 1, leading up to the start of the Rugby Premier League, which will run from June 1 to June 15. Fans can catch all the action live on JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar, bringing world-class rugby directly to their screens.