Rugby’s base expanding fast in India: Nasser Hussein

A buoyant captain of the Indian Rugby Team, Nasser Hussein, in an exclusive interview to Himanshu Shekhar of Zeenews.com, spoke at length about Rugby`s future in India.

Commonwealth Rugby 7s championship, a test event for the Delhi Games, recently concluded in the national capital with India finishing fourth. With Rugby having become a part of the Olympics calendar from 2016, the sport has created a lot of buzz across the globe and India is no exception. A buoyant captain of the Indian Rugby Team, Nasser Hussein, in an exclusive interview to Himanshu Shekhar of Zeenews.com, spoke at length about the championship and larger picture of Rugby’s future in India.

Himanshu:How do you rate India’s performance in the tournament and more importantly what are India’s prospect at the Delhi Commonwealth Games? Nasser : There were some very good teams in the tournament like Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan, which are ranked higher but India too played well though we failed to finish in top three. But we got some valuable match practice ahead of bigger tournaments. Himanshu:The tournament organizers of this Commonwealth Rugby 7s championship failed to get the required security clearance and hence no spectators were allowed. Did that rob you off the home advantage? Nasser: Of course it was a huge disappointment. We all want to play in front of spectators. That gives any player that extra motivation, that extra recognition. That motivation to excel, that pleasure of the high fives… Himanshu: And Rugby in India needs that extra recognition especially as it will be a part of 2016 Olympics calendar… Nasser: Yes, that is true. Rugby already enjoys a huge fan following across the globe and its success is proof enough that it can’t remain alien to Indian sport lovers. In fact, I am glad to let you know that we now have 18000 registered rugby players in the country and the sport has now expanded its base in centers like, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Nagpur and North East India. India now has more than 70 clubs, where professional players are practicing hard to take the game to the next level. So I am pretty hopeful that with time India will be a force to reckon with in the rugby world. Himanshu: What are the basic hindrances in that path to glory? Nasser : We don’t have even one stadium in the country which is dedicated to rugby. Lack of funds and lack of interests shown by the corporate sector has also not helped the cause. Indian Rugby Federation is trying to improve things with help from International Rugby Board, but it needs fans without who it is difficult for any other sport in India, excluding cricket, to grow and prosper. Himanshu: What role is Rugby India playing? Nasser It is working at the grassroots level to help build the sport in schools across the country. Even women’s rugby is being promoted in a big way. But we need dedicated rugby grounds to expedite things. Rugby is now part of 2016 Olympics Calendar and hence an increased interest in the sport in near future is definitely expected. Himanshu: How are you rating India’s medal chances at the Commonwealth Games? Nasser: Well there is no dream which is too big for the boys practicing here. And we all are sure that we will make inroads into the world rugby scene and, more specially, into the hearts of millions of Indians across the globe. Himanshu: That place is fully cornered by cricket though… Nasser Well, before 1983, the same was said and written about Indian Hockey, but you see how the scenario has changed. Himanshu: Rugby is a very tough sport physically. Don’t you think that Indians are physically not as well built as Australians or European players, who are on top in the game? Nasser All that is just a mindset. What’s important is how committed we are towards excelling by competing against the best. Himanshu: Thank you Nasser for your valuable time. And wish you and your team all the best. Hope 2010 becomes the turning year in Rugby India’s calendar just like 1983 became for cricket. Nasser : Well there’s no World Cup in 2010, but definitely Commonwealth Games are coming and we would need whole of India’s support. Thank You.