Kolkata: Top rugby teams of the country, in both men and women categories, will stake their claim for the top honours when the 86th All India & South Asia Rugby Championship for men and the 4th Women’s Rugby Championship get underway at the CC & FC ground from Sept 21 to 28.
The Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU) aka Rugby India in association with Calcutta Cricket & Football Club (CC&FC) and the Bengal Rugby Union (BRU), are hosting these meets , the best of its kind in the country. The event is also supported by city based Bengal Rugby Union.
Addressing media persons here Thursday, BRU president Lav Jhingan informed that the top 12 ranked Men’s teams from across the country which will battle for the title include champions Delhi Hurricanes and Runners Up Bombay Gymkhana , Army Red (SSCB), Maharashtra State Police (MSP), Jungle Crows, Kolkata Sergeants Institute, Magician India Foundation, Bangalore RFC, Ace Foundation, Delhi Lions, Madurai Veerans and hosts CC&FC.
Jhingan said the championship received an overwhelming response in terms of participation for the Women’s Tournament, with participation confirmation from 8 teams namely last winners Odisha, runners up Delhi Hurricanes, Bihar RFC, Rugby Association of Maharashtra, Adibasi RFC, Jungle Crows, Haryana Warriors and hosts CC&FC.
Commenting on the championship Rugby India president Numazar Mehta said that this premiere tournament coincides with the commencement of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan where the top 20 rugby nations in the world, will battle to lift the coveted Webb Ellis Trophy.”
Mehta informed that a few months ago Indian Women’s rugby XVs team achieved a major milestone, winning their first ever international test match against Singapore.
Speaking on the occasion CCFC president Dinyar Mucadum said Rugby, which is an Olympic event, has been included in the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) for all age groups (U14, U17 & U19 boys & girls) and the National University Games for both Men & Women, under the aegis of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). The sport is also a part of the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) and played by the Paramilitary & Police Forces.
Mucadum intimated that there has been a significant growth and increase in participation numbers and currently, within India, over 120 Rugby Clubs are affiliated to our State and Districts Associations with competitive Rugby, for both Men & Women, being actively played across 24 States in India.
(Reporting by Manik Banerjee)
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