India rugby promotion fifth in world, second in Asia

India ranks second, behind Japan, among Asian countries and fifth globally in participation by people in Get Into Rugby (GIR) programmes, as per 2016 statistics report released by World Rugby. The GIR is about introducing rugby to the public and awareness of values it upholds like integrity, discipline, respect, solidarity.

Published : Mar 28, 2017 19:00 IST , Mumbai

India ranks second, behind Japan, among Asian countries and fifth globally in participation by people in Get Into Rugby (GIR) programmes, as per 2016 statistics report released by World Rugby
India ranks second, behind Japan, among Asian countries and fifth globally in participation by people in Get Into Rugby (GIR) programmes, as per 2016 statistics report released by World Rugby
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India ranks second, behind Japan, among Asian countries and fifth globally in participation by people in Get Into Rugby (GIR) programmes, as per 2016 statistics report released by World Rugby

 

India ranks second, behind Japan, among Asian countries and fifth globally in participation by people in Get Into Rugby (GIR) programmes, as per 2016 statistics report released by World Rugby. The GIR is about introducing rugby to the public and awareness of values it upholds like integrity, discipline, respect, solidarity.

Rugby India (also known as Indian Rugby Football Union) introduced GIR in 2012 as a World Rugby initiative to promote the sport. The statistics report shows that in the subsequent five years till 2016, number of players overall (in India male and female) increased from 18,490 (in 2012) to 1,03,226, translates into 450 per cent.

Male players rose from 13,135 to 61,194 and female players from 5,355 to 42, 032. Japan tops the world list in GIR with 189,634 (male 109748 and female 79886), followed by South Africa, Brazil, Colombia, India and Russia. Asian top five countries doing rugby promotion through GIR are Japan, India, Brunei, Pakistan and China.

Nasser Hussain, GM, Rugby India, said: “We have received overwhelming response to GIR across the country. This initiative helped us find talented, passionate players. Indian U-18 boys team participated in the 2nd Asian School Rugby Sevens Championship 2016 at Hong Kong under the aegis of School Games Federation of India (SGFI). The Indian U-18 girls team gained third place at the Asian Girls Sevens in Dubai.”

Societe Generale, a major European financial services groups, supports Rugby India’s Get Into Rugby programmes. The initiative is in line with rugby’s inclusion in the National School Games for U-19 and U-17 boys and girls. Three stages of GIR programmes are named TRY, PLAY and STAY. Schools play seven-a-side rugby, known worldwide as Rugby Sevens, a medal event at Rio Olympics 2016.

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