’Delhi’s a good game’

Say members of international rugby teams as they arrive in city to prepare for 2010

'Delhi's a good game'

Say members of international rugby teams as they arrive in city to prepare for 2010

The clock is ticking for Delhi. And fast.

While the city struggles to meet the 2010 deadline for the Commonwealth Games, contesting teams have already started arriving.

The first one to land was the rugby team from Scotland.

The team arrived in Delhi on Monday morning for a week-long intensive training camp to prepare for the tournament.

"Initially, I was a bit skeptical about the infrastructure here. However, after seeing the ground on which we are practicing, I think other grounds too must be equally good," said Scotland Sevens coach Stephen Gemmell.

On being questioned about the Indian rugby team as an opponent in the tournament, Gemmell said, "I have not seen India play but we can never underestimate them. This is their home ground and things will definitely be in their favour. Otherwise, New Zealand and South Africa are tough opponents."

During the camp, the squad will play against members of the Indian national team, local sides and receive specialised coaching focused on personal and team development.

Karen Burnett, the team manger, said, "All the members in our team are in India for the first time. And we are amazed at the Indian hospitality. We are flying back on Sunday and hope that our players are well acquainted with the city by that time. We will return during the Games."

Meanwhile, to evaluate the ground situation, managers of some other rugby teams have landed in Delhi as well.

Sebastian Prim, the South African Rugby Sevens team manager, who arrived in the city on Saturday, said, "I have been sent here to study the traffic, weather, transport conditions among other facilites. I have already visited the Commonwealth stadium and am planning to make a trip to the main ground where the matches will be held."

New Zealand Rugby Sevens team manger is also in the city. Both the managers plan to leave on Wednesday.

Adesh Kumar, captain of Delhi's Rugby Sevens team and members of the Indian national team, present during the Scotland's training session, said, "In India this game is not at all popular. We have to compete with teams which are very well equipped and trained. There are so many technologies through which training is being imparted to them. Still we will give our best shot to win a gold medal for our country during the Games."

St Stephan's College, Hindu College, Khalsa College, Ramjas College, Kirorimal College, Sri Ram College of Commerce, Daulat Ram College and Jamia Milia Islamia University are some other places where rugby grounds are being prepared for training. The Delhi University Stadium will host the rugby Sevens matches during the Games.

The odd ball
Rugby Sevens is a variant of the rugby union in which only seven players per side feature, instead of the full 15.
Rugby Sevens is played under substantially the same rules and on a field of the same dimensions as the 15-player game. While a regular rugby union match lasts more than 80 minutes, a rugby Sevens match lasts for approximately 15 minutes but final matches last more than 20 minutes. This allows rugby tournaments to be completed in a day or a weekend.

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