Rugby to be played in world’s wettest place

Rugby is steadily reaching all corners of India and in March, some of the residents of the small state of Meghalaya, in the North East of the country, will join those already enjoying the sport.

Meghalaya which means ‘Abode of the clouds’ in Sanskrit is bounded to the north by Assam and to the south by Bangladesh and is notable as the wettest state in India, It is also home to the town of Cherrapunji, which holds the world record for the most rainfall in a calendar month.

Not that the climate is likely to prevent rugby being played. Well miserable weather certainly hasn’t slowed up the advancement of the game in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, or for that matter New Zealand! Meghalaya is already home to North East India’s first professional football team.

The state’s remoteness and lack of opportunities has led to many social problems and rugby has been identified by Speaker of the Meghalaya Assembly as an ideal activity for young people to become involved in. Two members of Kolkata’s Jungle Crows visited Meghalaya in November and will return in March with a team of coaches, to kick start the programme. Six schools have already signed up and the use of a training field has also been offered.

Rugby truly is a global sport.

Text with assistance from: Paul Walsh