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The rugby awareness
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The game is getting rejuvenated in our country, thanks to the efforts by the enthusiasts in the army
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HAVE A BALL The game is governed by laws and not rules, with the referee being the sole enforcer
Rugby elicits mixed reactions from television viewers and spectators. Many find it too rough and more of a brawl than a sport. To them it is all brawn and no brain, where brute power rules the day. Its intensely physical and athletic traits however foster friendship.For decades it symbolised robustness in the public schools of England, where the game originated. One of the objectives aimed at was character building, others being development of courage, sportsmanship, discipline, teamwork, leadership and camaraderie, all the said attributes being ideally suited for the army. The game is governed by laws and not rules, with the referee being the sole enforcer. It is broadly divided into two formats, viz; rugby league and rugby union. Other unique features are the absence of a horizontal bar for the goalposts, forward passes are prohibited as is dropping the ball, which can be advanced only by running with it or kicking it ahead.
Play is continuous, the restarts being swift and the stoppages are only for injuries. With a view to perhaps reduce the rough stuff, a tackled runner must immediately release the ball and the tackler, the tackled player. While the game has a fairly large following in its land of origin, England, its popularity in colonies/dominions such as New Zealand and Australia far outweigh that of the mother country. South Africa is another fertile ground while it didn't quite catch on in India, where another colonial pastime became a rage--cricket.
Like a shooting star
Well entrenched in the above mentioned countries, with huge marketing and sponsorship for backup, it however surfaced in India only a decade or two ago like a shooting star, appearing now and disappearing soon after. Of late, the Indian Army has been making efforts to raise a full-fledged team, in consonance with its objective of producing Olympic and world-class champions /teams.
Nearer home in Hyderabad or rather Secunderabad at the 1 EME Centre, the army squad took part in a rugby development and awareness programme last week. The game's introduction dwelt on its salient points such as the field of play, the goal posts, the ball, substitutes and laws. These were demonstrated when an Army A team took on Army B.
The seeds for the exercise were sown in September 2003 at the Armoured Corps Centre and school, working under the aegis of the Indian Rugby Football Union. The services of a highly qualified coach, Willie Hetaraka from New Zealand were requisitioned and he continues to train the side.
With the blessings of the Army Sports Control Board, New Delhi, five members from the army represented the country in international competition. Efforts are on to see more soldiers in the Indian side for the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be hosted by New Delhi.
As part of the Twin Cities road show, the army team also had exhibition matches at the AOC and Artillery centres.
A. JOSEPH ANTONY
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