10 hours ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Rugby Premier League looks to revive the sport in India and worldwide through 7s format
Almost 150 years after the demise of Calcutta Football Club resulted in the creation of rugby's oldest international trophy, a new sevens league was launched this month with the aim of reviving the gladiatorial sport in India.
The Rugby Premier League (RPL) has recruited top internationals from the World Sevens circuit to play alongside locals in six franchises under broadcast-friendly rule variations.
Organisers not only want to lead a revival of local rugby to the extent that India one day qualifies for the Olympics, but they also believe they can help revolutionise the future of the game worldwide.
'Rugby in India is not so popular and not because it's not played – it's played in more than 250 districts in India and there's a lot of talent pool available – but because people have not seen it,' Satyam Trivedi, chief executive of co-organisers GMR Sports, said.
'It has not been commercialised, originally or globally. It is a very aspirational sport. In countries like the UK, Australia, New Zealand, it's a private-school sport, which is not how it is seen in India.
Bengaluru Bravehearts' Hongkonger Mak Chung (right) tackles Delhi Redz's Moritz Noll. Photo: AFP
'I'm sure with the league getting commercials, going on broadcast, some of the finest athletes of the world coming and participating, the audiences will see it and the sport will catch up.'
