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Kolkata: A new low-contact hybrid sport churned out of full-contact team sports like rugby, kabaddi, netball and basketball, will debut on the Maidan on Saturday to mark National Sports Day, which commemorates the birth anniversary of hockey legend and triple Olympic champion Dhyan Chand Singh.
Led by former UK diplomat-turned-Kolkata resident Paul Walsh, the Jungle Crows Khelo Rugby project, which trains children from economically and socially disadvantaged sections in the sport, have planned a small “pandemic-compliant” tournament complete with disinfectant wash for balls, protective gloves for referees and an entirely new game that is safe for players. The idea of the yet-to-be named sport evolved out of the desire among children to return to the rugby field.
“So many of children are desperate to play. We had to figure out a game we could play safely with them. So we came up with this combination of games and have been refining the rules over a few weeks now. The children love it, though they still want to tackle and scrum, but they will have to wait for that,” said Jungle Crows coach Akash Balmiki.
The court — it is no longer a field — breaks into eight boxes of 5sqm each, four in a line with the remaining alongside it. Two players, one from each team, are allowed in each box. The ball has to be passed and moved from one box to the other. The game keeps the traditional rugby method of scoring. Players can grab, dodge, pass and tackle without leaving the box. The game is quick and requires good communication, evasion and dodging skills.
“Some of the most important skills in rugby are communication and being able to dodge a tackle. These are especially important to our smaller players. Which is why they do so well at this game. After each game, everyone disinfects their hands and we wash the ball so more teams can play,” said India player Sandhya Rai.
The Jungle Crows have not only been busy inventing a new game, they have also thrown themselves into supporting all their rugby players and their families across the city. “Once the lockdown started, it became incredibly difficult for many families and after Cyclone Amphan struck, we knew immediate assistance was the need of the hour. It was incredible to see so many people out working together. Kolkata’s rugby community was particularly effective at delivering support,” said Walsh.
The Crows have also got into tree repairs around the part of Maidan where they play. “The green heart of Kolkata needs to be our biggest legacy,” said Pratap Kundu who manages the Jungle Crows Khelo Rugby project.
Led by former UK diplomat-turned-Kolkata resident Paul Walsh, the Jungle Crows Khelo Rugby project, which trains children from economically and socially disadvantaged sections in the sport, have planned a small “pandemic-compliant” tournament complete with disinfectant wash for balls, protective gloves for referees and an entirely new game that is safe for players. The idea of the yet-to-be named sport evolved out of the desire among children to return to the rugby field.
“So many of children are desperate to play. We had to figure out a game we could play safely with them. So we came up with this combination of games and have been refining the rules over a few weeks now. The children love it, though they still want to tackle and scrum, but they will have to wait for that,” said Jungle Crows coach Akash Balmiki.
The court — it is no longer a field — breaks into eight boxes of 5sqm each, four in a line with the remaining alongside it. Two players, one from each team, are allowed in each box. The ball has to be passed and moved from one box to the other. The game keeps the traditional rugby method of scoring. Players can grab, dodge, pass and tackle without leaving the box. The game is quick and requires good communication, evasion and dodging skills.
“Some of the most important skills in rugby are communication and being able to dodge a tackle. These are especially important to our smaller players. Which is why they do so well at this game. After each game, everyone disinfects their hands and we wash the ball so more teams can play,” said India player Sandhya Rai.
The Jungle Crows have not only been busy inventing a new game, they have also thrown themselves into supporting all their rugby players and their families across the city. “Once the lockdown started, it became incredibly difficult for many families and after Cyclone Amphan struck, we knew immediate assistance was the need of the hour. It was incredible to see so many people out working together. Kolkata’s rugby community was particularly effective at delivering support,” said Walsh.
The Crows have also got into tree repairs around the part of Maidan where they play. “The green heart of Kolkata needs to be our biggest legacy,” said Pratap Kundu who manages the Jungle Crows Khelo Rugby project.
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