Committed to taking Rugby in Odisha to greater heights: Rahul Bose

Bhubaneswar, July 28: The Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU) in association with Sports and Youth Services Department and Odisha Rugby Football Association (ORFA) last week launched the Rugby‘Train the Trainers’, a detailed training and education program, with an aim to empower participants to deliver on Rugby grassroots development activities across Odisha. Through this initiative, Rugby India in association with ORFA aims to reach out to large numbers of PE teachers from government and private educational institutions across the state over the next three years. The Rugby ‘Train the Trainers’ program course module includes a combination of virtual and physical classrooms and will be delivered to PE teachers from primary, secondary and higher secondary schools that are affiliated by the Department of School and Mass Education as well as PE teachers from Ashram schools, affiliated to ST SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department and students of Govt. Physical Education College, Bhubaneswar. This initiative kick-started on July 21 and received an overwhelming participation response. Around250 PE teachers from Khordha and Cuttack districts as well as students of GCPE, Bhubaneswar registered for the program. Speaking on the occasion, Sports Secretary Vishal K Dev,said, “Historically, girls from Odisha have done exceptionally well in Rugby, often leading from the front,  and we want to create a strong grassroot system and give the same chance to other young boys and girls to take up this wonderful sport. Today’s program, one of many to come, is a first step towards developing Rugby coaches, who once certified and can take up further activities at the grassroots.” Last year, the state had signed a partnership with Rugby India to support not only Indian National teams, but also develop, promote and expand the sports ecosystem in Odisha beyond hockey and football. Over the years we have seen Odia players, especially from rural and tribal pockets, rise to international stature and we are keen to see that number increase, Dev added. Speaking on the occasion actor Rahul Bose who is also Board Member of Rugby India, said, “With Olympic level credibility, these Rugby courses will help PE teachers and coaches nurture new talent from schools, colleges, universities from across Odisha. These efforts will not only help in identifying and training the next generation of national players from the state but will also seed Rugby at a deep, fundamental level, making it in the future, one of the legacy sports of Odisha.” The benefactors of this program will be sports coaches, physical education teachers, and students. Once certified, the participants will be equipped to conduct grassroots activities and nurture new talent from schools and universities in their respective districts. Rugby India’s and ORFA’s certified educators & coaches will lead this program.