Latest news with #DiptayanHazra
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
"We'll be prepared for major tournaments": Deepak Kumar Punia thanks RPL
By Diptayan Hazra Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 27 (ANI): Deepak Kumar Punia, a rising star in Indian rugby, hails from Kanoi village in Hisar, Haryana. He made his mark by captaining the Haryana men's rugby sevens team to multiple national titles, including a gold medal at the National Games. In April 2024, his leadership journey reached a new milestone when he was appointed captain of India's men's 15s team for the Asia Rugby Division 1 Championship in Sri Lanka. A natural leader, Punia had earlier served as vice-captain of the national rugby sevens team. Having overcome early challenges in his career, he established himself as a key figure in both the sevens and fifteens formats. Under his captaincy, the Indian 15s side faced off against Sri Lanka, Qatar, and Kazakhstan, a pivotal campaign in India's steady progress toward joining Asia's rugby elite. Punia believes the launch of the Rugby Premier League (RPL) has the potential to revolutionize the sport in India. 'Right now, I believe the RPL might bring a real change,' he said. 'The number of players is increasing, and current Indian players are receiving massive support through the league. We're getting valuable exposure and experience by sharing the field with some of the world's best athletes, top rugby players who are the best in the world,' he added. This level of competition, he feels, has been eye-opening not just in terms of performance, but also in understanding professionalism. 'We're learning what needs to be done both on and off the field. Thanks to the RPL, we'll be much better prepared for major tournaments like the Asia Trophy and Asia Championship in the future,' he noted. Currently representing Delhi Redz in the RPL, Punia finds himself at home. 'I live in Delhi, so it feels great to play for the Delhi Redz. We have players from different states and countries, and now we all got together so we all are playing in this RPL as a team and we have a very good communication with each other and we are having a lot of fun playing together,' Deepak said. Despite the recent momentum, Punia acknowledges that Indian rugby still has a long way to go. He is a firm advocate for prioritizing grassroots structures, especially club-level competitions. 'Clubs are where rugby players are made,' he said. 'More importance must be given to club tournaments and alongside that, the Indian team needs to get more exposure by playing tournaments abroad. The more matches we play, the more experience we gain, and that's how our game will develop,' he added. Punia is also passionate about breaking stereotypes associated with rugby and encouraging youth, especially from smaller towns and villages, to take up the sport. 'Rugby in India is still growing, and it welcomes every skilled person,' he explained. 'Any height, any body shape, there's a position for you in rugby. You don't have to be tall or bulky to play, no matter what your body shape is, you can adjust in rugby,' he added. He pointed out that many young players who've competed at the national and international levels have already secured stable government jobs, making rugby not just a passion but a viable career path. 'Playing nationally and internationally, a lot of kids have got government jobs. So, in the future, you can also say that by playing rugby, you can also set your life. So, in the future, there is a lot in rugby,' he noted. As a fly-half, Punia plays one of the most crucial leadership roles on the pitch. His experience captaining both sevens and fifteens teams has taught him the value of communication, discipline, and preparation. 'Leadership is about keeping the team together, building strong communication, and making sure we're all aligned in what we need to do, and what we can do better as a team and what we have to do in the upcoming matches and tournaments and how we can prepare for games off the field. So, that comes in leadership,' Deepak said. 'These are things maybe I've learned from my senior players, and now I try to pass them on to my teammates,' he added. Punia's introduction to rugby was unplanned, but life-changing. Originally drawn to cricket, he began his sporting journey with his elder brother at an academy in Delhi after moving from Hisar. 'One day it rained, and we couldn't play cricket,' he recalled. 'So, our cricket coach got us to do some fun activities with a tennis ball like agility drill. So, from there he suggested I try rugby. He told me it was a growing sport and that I might do well,' he said. That one suggestion led Punia to the Delhi Hurricanes Rugby Club, and from there, his rugby career was born. 'So, he got me admitted to Delhi Hurricanes Rugby Club. So, my rugby started from there,' he noted. (ANI)
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
"RPL is exposure Indian Rugby needed": Mohit Khatri eyes bigger goals with Bengaluru Bravehearts
By Diptayan Hazra Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 26 (ANI): India's rugby landscape is entering a thrilling new era, and leading the charge is 27-year-old Mohit Khatri, the most expensive player in the inaugural Rugby Premier League (RPL). Hailing from Haryana, Khatri was snapped up by the Bengaluru Bravehearts for Rs 4.75 lakhs, as one of the marquee faces of the world's first-ever franchise-based rugby league. While Haryana has long been synonymous with wrestling and kabaddi, Khatri's journey to the top of Indian rugby has been anything but conventional. 'Basically, one of my brothers used to play before, and he introduced rugby to us,' Khatri recalled. 'We were into cricket, football, and volleyball on weekends. I was in 6th grade when he said, 'Try rugby.' It started that way, soon it became a habit, and then a passion,' he added. With six founding franchises (Delhi Redz, Hyderabad Heroes, Kalinga Black Tigers, Chennai Bulls, Mumbai Dreamers, and Bengaluru Bravehearts), the RPL isn't just a league; it's a platform of possibilities for the sport in India. For Khatri, it represents an unprecedented opportunity for growth, both personal and national. 'RPL is, we can say, one of the best exposures Indian players can get right now,' he said. 'Before this, it wasn't possible to team up or share the field with top-level athletes from around the world, but now, with the RPL, we can see the standard of world rugby, where the top teams stand, and compare it to Indian rugby. That helps us set new goals,' Khatri noted. Khatri is confident that RPL could lay the foundation for Indian rugby to flourish on the global stage. 'Over the next five years, we have small goals, starting from the Asian trophies, then the Asian Games, and then we see a bigger picture. Then we can qualify for the Olympics as well. So, there are a lot of hopes and chances where we try to perform and give our best and let's see where we go for,' he explained. He believes grassroots development must be prioritised. 'Indian rugby is developing, no doubt, but one of the key things we still lack is exposure. We need more matches, that's how we'll know where we stand and what areas need work. Only through competition can we grow,' he said. Khatri has captained both the Indian Rugby 7s team and the national XV side. His leadership philosophy is grounded in unity. 'My style is to ensure all players are on the same page. Whatever the coach or management wants to convey must reach everyone. It's only by staying together that we can achieve more and more,' he noted. Now, with the Bengaluru Bravehearts, Khatri is eager to soak up knowledge from his international teammates. 'We have players from New Zealand, Fiji, and Spain. Like, I'll get another experience and try to get an experience of the structure of rugby in different countries, like the All Blacks, Fiji and Spain. Like, I have a lot of new things to learn and I will try to gain as much experience as I can,' Khatri said. When his name came up at the RPL auction, followed by the Rs 4.75 lakh tag, Khatri felt a mix of pride and responsibility. 'I feel very proud and happy, but I also know this price tag brings responsibilities. I'm ready to give my 100%. Let's hope for the best,' he said. (ANI)
India Gazette
01-06-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Gulveer and other athletes express their delight after Asian Athletics Championships
By Diptayan Hazra New Delhi [India], June 2 (ANI): Indian athletes showcased grit, determination, and talent at the 26th Asian Athletics Championships held in Gumi, South Korea, finishing second in the overall medal tally behind China. With a total of 24 medals, 8 gold, 10 silver, and 6 bronze, India made a strong statement on the continental stage. One of the standout performers for India was Gulveer Singh, who etched his name in history by becoming the first Indian to win two gold medals in this edition of the championships. The 26-year-old Army athlete clinched the 10,000m gold on the opening day and followed it up with a resounding victory in the 5,000m. 'I am very happy after returning home. My next challenge is the World Championship,' said Gulveer to ANI, who proved his dominance in long-distance running. Another golden performance came from 18-year-old high jumper Pooja Singh, who scaled a personal best of 1.89m to win India's third gold medal of the tournament. Her jump not only secured the top podium spot but also marked a significant breakthrough in her young career. 'I am feeling very happy, I am feeling proud as I won gold for India,' Pooja said, beaming with joy. 'How much we need to do, what we need to do, what kind of performance we need to give, I try to give my best,' she added. Her coach, Balwan Singh, praised her resilience, 'She belongs to a small village in Parta, Fatehabad district of Haryana. She's continuing her training there. From coming out of there, she came to this level.' He added, 'She is the youngest Indian to win a medal in the Asian Athletics Championship. Our next targets are the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.' Sachin Yadav, on his international debut, bagged the silver medal in javelin throw, registering a personal and season best of 85.16m, finishing just behind Pakistan's Olympic star Arshad Nadeem (86.40m). 'I am happy to compete with Arshad Nadeem. It's okay, I will try to do well in the next competition and I believe I can beat him,' said Sachin. Despite the cold weather conditions, his mindset remained clear, 'My mindset was to do well.' In the triple jump, Pravin Chitravel leapt to 16.90m to earn the silver medal. 'I am really happy to get a medal. My next target is the World Championship in Tokyo. Training is going well and I'm feeling confident,' said Chitravel, who has consistently performed on the international stage. Yoonus Shah, competing in the 1500m, won a bronze in his first senior Asian Championship. 'I am feeling very happy, this was my first senior Asian Championship competition. I will try to do better and will get that gold. I did well, I brought Bronze, I felt really good,' he said. Servin Sebastian, who opened India's medal tally in Gumi, earned a bronze in the 20km race walk event. 'I am happy and proud that I brought a medal for my country. This is my first international medal and the feeling is very good,' he said, adding that he is now eyeing a strong performance at the World Championship. (ANI)
India Gazette
25-04-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
"We had to come back strong": Vikram Partap Singh reflects on Mumbai City FC's emphatic start to Kalinga Super Cup
By Diptayan Hazra Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], April 25 (ANI): Mumbai City FC kicked off their Kalinga Super Cup campaign with a statement, brushing aside Chennaiyin FC with a dominant 4-0 win. For forward Vikram Partap Singh, it was a much-needed response after their crushing 0-5 defeat to Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) Knockout clash. 'I think after we lost the last match (against Bengaluru FC), it was very important for the team to come back. So, in everyone's mind, for the last 20-25 days, it was that we have to come back strong,' Vikram told ANI. The Islanders are the first club to win both the League Winners Shield and the ISL cup title in a single season, which it accomplished in the 2020-21 season. They were the first team to win the ISL league winners shield twice, and were the Cup winners of the 2023-24 season as well, but this season they were not that impressive; they will try to win the Kalinga Super Cup. The young Indian attacker, who had a relatively quiet ISL season with just one goal, sees the Kalinga Super Cup as an opportunity to turn things around -- both for the team and himself. Last season he netted eight goals in the ISL. 'The main thing is that wherever I play, I want to win this tournament. I am not thinking about where I am playing. I want to play well and win this tournament,' he stated, showcasing his hunger and clarity of focus. Up next for Mumbai City is a tricky test against Inter Kashi FC, one of the most impressive sides in the I-League this season. However, Vikram insists that the approach remains unchanged. 'Everything is going to be the same. The way we were ready for Chennaiyin FC, it will be the same for them (Inter Kashi FC). There won't be any difference. It is a knockout match and anything can happen. So, we have to give everything,' he said. When asked if there were any special plans against Inter Kashi, Vikram kept it simple, 'No, it's a game-by-game. It's not special.' With a firm eye on the trophy, Vikram also shared his personal ambition. 'Right now, my personal target is to win the Kalinga Super Cup,' he said. (ANI)
