Kolkata / Bhubaneswar, NFAPost: In a stellar performance, Calicut University won the double title in the Inter-University Men’s and Women’s All India Inter University 15’s Rugby Championship held at KIT University, Bhubaneswar.
Calicut University achieved the historic feat in both categories by defeating Shivaji University Kolhapur in the finals. The title was won by defeating Shivaji University Kolhapur in the men’s category by a score of 13-10 and in the women’s category by a score of 17-12.
This is the first time in history that a university from Kerala has won the Inter-University Rugby Championship. Mumbai University finished third in both the men’s and women’s categories.
By winning the championship, Calicut University had already secured the opportunity to participate in the Khelo India University Championship with both men’s and women’s teams.
The Calicut University men’s team was led by Sreeshak of Guruvayoorappan College from Kozhikode. Other team members include Muhammed Asim, Thanseer Babu, Shahmil, Siad Ahmed, Suryanarayanan, and Mubashir of Thunchan Government College, Tirur; Sreeshak, Mritul, Arun, Priyesh, Abin Nath, and Ajay Babu of Guruvayoorappan College; and Muhammed Yasin, Muhammed Fayaz, Britto Antony, and Amal John of Christ College.
The team also include Atul, Abhayanand, Vaishnav Babu, Muhammed Rashiq, Muhammed Hadil, Mukhtar, Jishnu, Abhinav of the University Teaching Department; Muhammed Jasim of Kozhikode Govt. Physical Education College; Kashinath of Devagiri College; Shabir Shafiq of Ponnani MES; Muhammed Savad of Pattambi Govt. College and Galsan of Kunnamangalam Govt. College.
Kozhikode Guruvayoorappan College student Sreeshak, who is the captain of Calicut University Rugby team, said the All India Inter University 15’s Rugby Championship victory is the culmination of the hard work of every team member.
“I am thankful to my family and all our coaches for their unflinching support to fine-tune our skills. It is interesting to note that rugby is gaining momentum as a sport in Kerala and I believe it will be one of the leading sports in the state soon,” said Calicut University Rugby team captain Sreeshak.
The women’s team was led by Athulya Uday from St Joseph’s College Thrissur, along with her college mates Ardra Lakshmi, Ann Babu, Ashmi, Krishnandu, Gifty and Aswathy; Kozhikode Guruvayoorappan College stars Naja Fatima, Lakshmi Nanda, Fatima Jebin; University Teaching Department’s Jijina Das, Athulya and Sreelakshmi; Christ College, Thrissur players Anita Sibi, Fatima Fida and Anita Shaju.
Other players in the women’s rugby team of Calicut University include Kozhikode Govt. Physical Education College’s Anjima, Haritha, Sophia, Anna Tess Jaimon; Thrissur Vimala College’s Karthika, Anakha; Farooq College’s Shadia Nasril and Kozhikode Arts College’s Punyadas.
Thrissur St Joseph’s College student and captain of Calicut University Women’s Rugby team, Athulya Uday, said it is a dream come true for her and all the team members.
“I am thankful to God Almighty for showering blessings on us to win All India Inter University 15’s Rugby Championship held at KIT University, Bhubaneswar. Besides my family and friends, I would like to thank our coach and the whole team management for this stellar performance. Now we are working hard to continue our performance at the Khelo India University Championship,” said Calicut University Rugby women’s team captain Athulya Uday.
Under the leadership of former Indian team coach Sendil Kumar, the Calicut University team was also trained by assistant coaches like Harshanth, Vishnu and Vinu.
Speaking to TheNFAPost, Calicut University Lead Coach Sendil Kumar said being part of the All India Inter University Rugby Tournament with the men’s team for the past three years has been a truly rewarding journey.
“It is a privilege to coach Calicut University. Though we fell short of the championship in the last two years, this year our determination, hard work, and belief made the difference; we came back stronger and brought home the gold,” said Lead Coach of Calicut University Sendil Kumar.
Sendil Kumar also said that with the women’s team, it was his first experience coaching the 15-A-side format.
“Despite having only a short 6-day camp and facing challenges like illness during the tournament, the team showed incredible courage and resilience. They played with heart, proved their strength on the field, and created history alongside the men’s team. Truly proud of both teams for this remarkable achievement,” said Lead Coach of Calicut University Sendil Kumar.
Sendil Kumar also highlighted the importance of extending the coaching camp time duration for the participating players who are selected from various colleges of Calicut University.
“I request that the authorities consider it would be highly beneficial if the coaching camp could be extended to at least two weeks. This would help the players prepare better, improve team coordination, and perform at an even higher level,” said Calicut University Lead Coach Sendil Kumar.
Besides MES School Tanur Physical Education Teacher Muhammad Miyas K, Tirur Thunchan Government College Sports Department Head Captain Shukkur Illath and University Sports Department Teacher Reema Nath were the team managers. The team physio was the Sports Department’s Tenny Tavis. All the members supported the team and guided them during the tournament.
Sharing his happiness by being part of the winning Calicut University Rugby team, Thunchan Government College student and rugby player Suryanarayanan said it is really altogether a different experience playing rugby.
“I am hailing from Ariyallur village in Vallikunnu panchayath (Malappuram district) where we play volleyball primarily, and I got training in the game. But after coming to Thunchan Government College, I started practising rugby morning and evening and got a position in the Calicut University team. I am happy with my team for their all-around performance and expect more laurels for the team and my teammates,” said Thunchan Government College student Suryanarayanan.
Commenting on the gaining importance of rugby in Keralam, MES School Tanur Physical Education Teacher Muhammad Miyas K said the sports-loving youth of the Keralam state have found a new interest in rugby, primarily because of its aggressive tackling and offensive tactics.
“It is interesting to note that during the 35th National Games held in the state in 2015, Keralites got a close interface with the game. Incidentally, the women’s team won bronze in the games, and it inspired many to pursue rugby in Keralam. Now the victory of Calicut University with the double title in the Inter-University Men’s and Women’s All India Inter University 15’s Rugby Championship held at KIT University, Bhubaneswar, Keralam has travelled a long way since 2015, and more youngsters are joining the game,” said MES School Tanur Physical Education Teacher Muhammad Miyas K.
According to recent statistics, Keralam has over 120 rugby clubs, including school teams. The State Rugby Association got recognised by the Kerala State Sports Council (KSSC) in 2018. Since then there have been concerted efforts to popularise the game in the state by organising events and facilitating training.
(With inputs from Sports Editor Avinash Nair and Editor-in-Chief N V Vijayakumar)
