Rugby: State team facing injury risk

Watching rugby is a treat for  spectators. All that high adrenaline running, tackling and scrummage make it the dearest sport for the fans. But for the players, the strenuous effort for a win often culminates in a dislocated shoulder or punctured face.

 It is in this nasty world, where brutal physical power and swiftness decide the winner, that the State rugby team is trying to make its presence felt. But the worst news coming from the sporting arena is that the team has been in an ‘impoverished’ state since it started preparing for the 35th National Games slated to begin in the latter part of 2013.

 Though the State is yet to make its impact on the National Sevens Rugby arena, the team believes that it can deliver its best at home. The team members’ firm faith in their capability is laudable, but in reality, they appear under-prepared. Be it the case of practising ground or availability of safety gear, the team is least prepared to take on formidable opponents like Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, the reigning champion.

 “We are yet to practise with safety gear like helmet, chest or shoulder pad. All that the State could provide is a tracksuit. We have to buy everything else, including safety gear,” said G Tulasi, captain of the team which is currently practising near Kovalam beach owing to the lack of other training space.

 The hopes of the team members are high after the team’s decent performance at the national championship in the U-20 category held at Jharkhand.

The men’s and the women’s teams had finished runners-up there. But given the sub-standard facilities being provided to them, one would doubt whether they could match the well-trained teams like Services which have classy and well-facilitated players.

 Some of the Kerala players even had to obtain medical insurance on their own.

“Earlier, the state association partially shared the burden of paying the premium. After they ran out of money, some of the players had to manage the premium on their own. Lots of risks are involved with the game. So, we can’t venture into the field without a medical insurance cover,” said Tulasi.