BHUBANESWAR 24-Aug-2012 278
Initiative to popularise rugby in Odisha received a shot in the arm today with India captain Nasser Hussain and Jarrad Gallagher, member of International Rugby Board and Development Manager of Rugby in Asia, meeting different sports heads in twin city Bhubaneswar and Cuttack and seeking their help during their visit to the state.
Gallagher and Hussen were here to know the status of rugby in Odisha and help promote the sport in the state. They visited Barabati Stadium (Cuttack), Kalinga Stadium and KIIT University (both Bhubaneswar) to see the existing infrastructure facilities and met Odisha Olympic Association secretary Asirbad Behera, Government Sports Secretary I Srinivas to seek their help for promotion of rugby in the state,`` Odisha Rugby Football Association president Priyadarshi Mishra said in a media conference here.
Appreciating the growing interest for rugby in Odisha, Gallagher assured that IRB would consider worthy proposals to provide support for promotion of the sport in Odisha. ``I am happy about the available infrastructure facility and the number of rugby players in Odisha. But that is not enough. Odisha has the ability to do better and IRB would be keen to provide help if worthy proposal is sent by the state body,`` said Gallagher, the big man from New Zealand.
India captain Hussain, who seemed quite knowledgeable about rugby in Odisha, was of the opinion that the player-pool and ground conditions need to be improved to make Odisha a force to reckon with in the rugby map of the country.
``We have around 20,000 rugby players in India now and we are at present ranked 64th among 111 nations in the world and 11th among 26 in Asia. We need the involvement of more players, especially youngster for the growth of rugby in our country. I would be happy if the number of rugby players reach 20,000 in Odisha in the next five years,`` said the suave Hussain, who is respected more for his brain rather than brawn as a rugby player.
``Among Odisha rugby players, Bikash Jena and Surendra Jena played for the country in men`s international tournaments and among women, Bhagyalaxmi participated in the Asian Games. This is good achievement for the state and I am optimistic of more international players from Odisha in the years to come,``added Hussain.
Both Gallagher and Hussain were unanimous in their observation that body-size is not the prime-importance to become a good rugby player. ``Speed, agility and thinking power player equally important role in rugby,`` observed Gallagher.
Speaking on injury aspect Hussain said injury is a familiar aspect of sports and steps have been taken to ensure safety in rugby. ``In contact sports, injury is a common hazard. But in rugby, we enlighten players how to avoid injuries and how to treat injuries if these occur from the beginning. Safety has been given prime importance in rugby,`` stated Hussain.
ORFA president Mishra described the visit of Gallagher and Hussain as a boon for rugby in Odisha. ``Thanks to Gallagher and Hussain, we received assurance of support from Odisha Olympic Association secretary Asirbad Behera and State Government Sports Secretary I Srinivas. With these support, we hope to develop good infrastructure facility for rugby and encourage more players to take to the sport,`` said Mishra.
ORFA secretary U K Mohanty said the All-India Women`s Rugby Sevens Championship, which is being treated as selection trial for the composition of the Indian team for the related Asian championship, would be hosted in a grand way to boost the credibility of rugby in Odisha.
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PHOTO: Indian rugby captain Nasser Hussain, IRB member Jarrad Gallagher, ORFA president P Mishra and secretary UK Mohanty in Bhubaneswar on August 24, 2012.
