Local rugby player sets his sights on Olympics

The physically excruciating sport rugby is prospering well among the youth in Mumbai. The number of Mumbai teenagers indulging in the game is escalating. One such story is about Pankaj Singh, a lad of 16 who switched from being a cricketer to a rugby player despite the sport being less prevalent in the country.

Singh represented India at the Asian School Rugby Sevens Championships 2016 held in Hong Kong.

The 16-year old is studying in RK Talreja College and describes rugby as something that has changed his life. Pankaj used to play for PJ Hindu Gymkhana, as a cricketer before rugby came into his life and he does not regret his decision. Later, he played kabaddi for the school team, and that was when his school coach called him up for a rugby trial after looking at his tackling skills.

“I did not know anything about rugby initially, but the coach called me as there were less players for rugby. I played a tournament, and after that, he encouraged me to play more as he always said that my tackling is good. Then, I went to the district trials followed by state trials. I could not believe it when I was confirmed to be representing the Indian team that was to play in Hong Kong,” says an overwhelmed Pankaj.

The popularity of the game has risen mainly because of the affiliation with the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs that took place in 2015.

Talking about his future with the aggressive game, he says, “I want to be associated with the game and keep playing for India because my final aim is to join the defence forces, be it police or military. For that, being associated with the national team is necessary, as I want to get in through the sports quota. Representing the country in the Olympics is any player’s desire.”

 Singh was born in Varanasi, and his family came to Mumbai 10 years ago in search of work opportunities. His father is a rickshaw driver who is also the sole bread-earner of the household.

“My family is not that strong financially as all the pressure of earning is on my father. Now that I am playing tournaments, I am helping him as much as I can, but I am also cramming to get into my desired stream of work.

 Pankaj was also a part of the team that played against King Edward’s School’s (KES) Rugby Team on Tuesday at the Bombay Gymkhana Grounds.

While discussing the state of affairs of rugby in India, he asserts, “The affiliation with the ministry in 2015 has helped the cause, but we also want to have franchise-based leagues which can give more publicity to the sport. Over the past few years, kabaddi and hockey have gained popularity because of these leagues, and if there is one such league for rugby as well, it will be a massive amendment,” says the young tackler.