CRFA fails to tap city’s young rugby talent

Deepankar Sharda
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, June 1

Though rugby is gaining popularity among city youth, the sport is still not considered important enough to be made part of the inter-school calendar by the UT Education Department. This despite the fact that the sport is included in the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) calendar, and is also recognised by the Panjab University Sports Committee (PUSC) and the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). 

Every year, the SGFI conducts rugby nationals for boys and girls, but players from the city are unable to participate as the UT Education Department has not included rugby in its policy.

The Chandigarh Rugby Football Association (CRFA) was registered under the Societies Act in 2001 and is recognised by the Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU). The IRFU is in turn an affiliated unit of the Indian Olympic Association. This makes rugby an affiliated sport.

Last year, the local association had hosted senior nationals under the aegis of the IRFU, and will host the Junior (U-18) Nationals Championship from June 15.

“We are in the process of getting affiliation from the UT Sports Department. They have asked us to submit the necessary documents,” said Ranjan Sethi, CRFA president. He added, “Earlier, the Chandigarh Olympic Association affiliated us as their unit. However, the UT Education Department continues to hesitate to include our sport in its policy.”

“Our sports fraternity met the higher officials and submitted a memorandum to include rugby in the 2019-20 calendar of the Education Department,” he said, adding, “However, we are yet to hear from them. We have over 20 schools and seven colleges as our units. Currently, we have 465 players registered with us. In addition to that, we have 12 coaches who manage coaching at different centres.”

“We are doing all on our own for the promotion of the sport,” Sethi said. 

“Currently, 70 players (35 each in the boys and girls categories) are attending the preparatory camp for the junior nationals at Panjab University. Even colleges give stipend to our players, but there is nothing in schools. We only demand to conduct inter-school championships for which we are ready to give technical assistance,” the CRFA president said.

A total of 20 teams (12 boys and eight girls) participated in the recently concluded 1st Junior State Championship.

“We are not having a base to nurture the talent. It can only be fruitful if students from schools come and play,” said PS Lamba, one of the organising secretaries.

Lamba added, “How can we expect the performance of our teams at the college or university level? Our players do represent the city in the nationals, which is only organised by the IRFU. The SGFI also conducts rugby nationals, but due to non-recognition by the local Education Department our players are unable to grab the opportunity.” No official of the UT Education Department was available for comment on the issue. However, a source in the department said all sports affiliated with the SGFI cannot be entertained. “The SGFI organises many events but all cannot be entertained by us. We have a policy to follow and changes can be only initiated on the consideration of the authorities,” said the source.

Number game

• 12 players in each team (seven playing, five reserves)
• 12 teams of boys, 8 of girls participated in junior state meet concluded last month
• 465 players of different age groups affiliated with CRFA
• 20 schools affiliated with CRFA
• 70 players (35 boys and as many girls) currently attending junior preparatory camp at PU
• 7 colleges affiliated with CRFA