MUMBAI: Rugby’s greatest prize, the Webb Ellis Cup, visited one of India’s oldest rugby clubs, Bombay Gymkhana on Wednesday as part of the Rugby World Cup 2019 Trophy Tour aiming to engage and excite new and existing rugby fans and players.
Bringing some Bollywood sparkle to the event, Sidharth Malhotra, joined former Rugby India International player, actor and director Rahul Bose; World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper; Asia Rugby president Aga Hussain and Rugby India general secretary Mahesh Mathai, to celebrate the game ahead of Japan 2019.
Hindi film actor Sidharth Malhotra, a former Delhi Hurricanes rugby player and fan of the game said to World Rugby TV: “It feels amazing for the Rugby World Cup to be here and I’m very excited to have it on Indian soil for the first time. I played rugby when I was younger and think it is one of the best sports that teaches you discipline, fitness and controlled aggression.
“It’s a great initiative to bring the Webb Ellis Cup to a country where rugby is quite new and needs a little push. I’m looking forward to seeing all the children get inspired and pick up the sport and hopefully play for India in future. It is my dream is to see India play at the Rugby World Cup one day.”
Also joining the event was Rugby India 7s captain Gautam Dagar; Rugby India Women’s 7s captain Neha Pardeshi and Rugby India Women’s 15s captain, Vahbiz Bharucha. The players joined in the festivities at Bombay Gymkhana, delivering a rugby training session for local players with Malhotra and Bose also taking part.
Speaking at the event, Gosper said: “It has been fantastic to witness the huge levels of excitement, enthusiasm and curiosity that have accompanied the Webb Ellis Cup on every stop of the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour in India over the past week and especially today (Wednesday) at the Bombay Gymkhana club which has such a famous rugby history.
“With the support of the Indian Sports Minister, the well-executed programme of activities by our colleagues at Asia Rugby and Rugby India, together with a sprinkling of Bollywood stardust from famous actors passionate about the game, it has been a very productive visit to Delhi and Mumbai and a real sense of momentum is building towards the first Rugby World Cup to be held in Asia next year. I am certain there is a very bright future ahead for Indian rugby.”
With just over one year to go until Rugby World Cup 2019 takes place in Japan, the first time the tournament will be hosted in Asia, the Webb Ellis Cup will also visit Bhubaneswar after Mumbai. Ahead of the tournament, the two-year Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour is underway visiting 18 countries and India is the eighth leg of the tour following Philippines.
The last two years has seen the biggest growth and development of rugby across the country with India ranked first in Asia and third in the world in terms of participation numbers through World Rugby’s Get Into Rugby programme by reaching over 160,000 participants in 2017.
In addition, rugby is now a core sport in the SGFI’s National School Games Calendar for the U14, U17 & U19 Boys and Girls categories as well as part of AIU’s National University Games calendar – yet another major milestone for Rugby India and World Rugby’s ambitions to grow the game globally.
The sport is also a part of the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) and played by the Paramilitary & Police Forces. 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.
Said Mathai: “We are extremely proud and honoured that India has been chosen as one of the 18 nations that will host the coveted Rugby World Cup as part of the Rugby World Cup 2019 Trophy Tour. It is encouraging that World Rugby has recognized and acknowledged Rugby India’s efforts to grow and develop this beautiful game across India.
“I would like to call upon the wider rugby fraternity from across the country to join hands and welcome this magnificent trophy to India. We also sincerely thank all those who have supported and invested in the game in India, particularly Rugby India partner Société Générale for the commitment and cooperation they have extended to grow and develop rugby across the country – also one of the six Rugby World Cup 2019 worldwide partners. Japan 2019 is the first time that the tournament will be played on Asian soil and we are glad to be a part of this rugby celebration in the lead up to this exciting tournament.”
Since the Tour launched in 2017, the Rugby World Cup has visited both established and emerging rugby nations including: England, Uruguay, Spain, Fiji, Hong Kong and China. It will also visit countries including Nepal, Malaysia, Pakistan, Brazil and Chile in the lead up to the tournament.
The World Cup will take place from 20 September – 2 November 2019.
