The Statesman, India
July 28 2005

Rugby on comeback run

Mathures Paul
in Kolkata

July 27. – The Armenian community in Kolkata is synonymous with the
sport of rugby. Though in the last few years a full-fledged Armenian
rugby team has not been seen in action, the situation will soon
change.
Emil Vartazarian, the director of Tamil Nadu Rugby Football Union and
a member of the national rugby team, will visit Kolkata every month
to train youngsters at the Armenian College. `The only way to learn
the sport is by playing it.’
The Armenian College team will be playing 10 under-19 teams in
October in South India. Besides, the Isipathana Sevens International
School Tournament will be held in August in Sri Lanka. Schools from
across the world will participate in the prestigious event. If we are
ready then we will participate.
Again in December, the team will be touring Thailand, playing tests,’
says Henrick Terchoonian, a former member of the Indian rugby team
and the present coach of the Armenian College team. `Look at the
Future Hope team. Already a few of its players are studying abroad
under scholarships given for playing rugby. Thanks to Tim Grandage,
the sport has reached a new level,’ says Emil.
Moving beyond the Armenian College team, on every rugby player’s mind
is the 2006 Asian Games and the 2010 Commonwealth Games (the latter
will be hosted by India). There are issues that need to be tackled.
Adds Henrick, `There are two issues – funding and rugby grounds.
Unless players across India are given dedicated grounds to play on,
the sport will not improve in India.
The International Rugby Board is willing to pay £75,000 to purchase
and develop a rugby ground. In fact, if we go by the news on the
grapevine, IRB is willing to pay India for four grounds, one for each
zone. But nobody has taken the initiative to make the dream come
true. Is it because we have to answer to IRB directly?’ According to
Emil, `Hutch has committed around Rs 40 lakh per year (for five
years) to organise three national tournaments, sponsor the Indian
rugby team and to develop the sport. Besides money from Hutch, each
zone receives around Rs 4 lakh, irrespective of the number of centres
there are in each zone.
Somebody should realise that a disparity in the number of centres in
each zone exists. Even though the end-amount is not huge, it can be
used to better the sport, if channeled properly.’
India’s rating in the world rugby scene has improved, especially
after Willie Hetaraka took over as coach. India now ranks 87,
compared to 93, in world rugby. Speaking of improvement, China has
taken a lead over India, even though both started out in 1998 (India
has been a member of IRB since 2001).
`China plays at least six tests a year while India has played 18
tests in 8 years. Nevertheless, compared to the wipeout in the 13
tests we played till 2004, we have, in the last five tests, won two,
drew one and lost two,’ rounds off Emil, who is happy with the
progress of five players in the Armenian rugby team and they might
even find a place in the under-19 camp in December.
According to IRB official website there are 500 pre-teen male
players, 200 pre-teen female players, 4,500 teen male players, 2,000
teen female players, 5,700 senior male players and 300 senior female
players in India.