Punjab Government has decided to make special efforts to boost the game of Rugby in the State. Taking the first step in this direction, Rugby sport will be included in ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Deya’ for this year, said the state Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer during a meeting with Indian Rugby Football Union president Rahul Bose at his official residence.
Hayer, during discussions with Rahul Bose — a former international Rugby player and an acclaimed film actor and director — to promote rugby in Punjab, said that the State Government is making continuous efforts to revive the sports culture in Punjab.
“The State Government had organized the first-ever ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Deya’ in 2022 in which more than three lakh sportsmen participated in 30 sports competitions. This time, Rugby will also be included,” he said.
Hayer said that Rugby is a combination of athletics, kabaddi, football, and handball, which suits the nature of Punjabis. “There is every possibility that Punjabis will perform better in this game. Rugby Seven is a short form of this game which is included in the Olympic, Asian or Commonwealth Games, so efforts will be made to find acceptance for this form of the game in Punjab,” he said.
Showing a power point presentation to Meet Hayer about Rugby, Rahul Bose said that the scope of this game is increasing very fast and being a part of the Olympics, Asian or Commonwealth Games, it has now become a medal sport. “This game has started to be played a lot in Punjab in the last few years because in Punjab, the required qualities like speed, strength, and stamina for this game are found in the players,” he said.
On Hayer’s demand, Rahul Bose also announced to hold an invitational Rugby Seven tournament in the State soon.