India-Guam match on June 23, Kappa, Kingfisher to sponsor rugby team

Mumbai, June 19 (UNI) The Hutch Indian Rugby team will kick off its international season with a match against Guam at the Bombay Gymkhana here on June 23, as part of a triangular tournament, which also involves Philippines.

Announcing this here last night, Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU) president Pramod Khanna also welcomed on board the Indian rugby team, Italian sportswear giants Kappa as the official apparel sponsor and Kingfisher as the official refresher to the Indian team.

With these two companies coming on board to sponsor the Indian team, the number of sponsors of the Indian team have gone up to three, with Hutch being the main sponsor since the last four years.

Khanna also announced the appointment of David Higgins as coach of the Indian team till the tri-nation tourney is over.

The IRFU president, however, said they would try to see if the contract with Higgins could be extended.

Khanna said he was happy at the way rugby was moving ahead in India and the only way forward for this sport in the country was northwards.

Expressing satisfaction over the promotion of rugby at the grass root level, he pointed out that it was evident from the recently concluded inaugural all-India under-19 club rugby tourney, which saw a total of 16 teams participating in it.

Speaking on the occasion, Wiggins said ''at the moment, we are guardedly optimistic about our chances.'' He said he liked the way the players have responded to the new ideas he has brought in.

''India is making all the right moves forward towards improvement of the game and we are nearly there. We have to be positive and determined and we would soon see India competing on even terms with the top nations of the world,'' he noted.

Citing an example of the Italian rugby team, the Englishman said 25 years ago it had just started out and now it is one of the toughest jobs in the world to play against them.

''I have the confidence that India can also become a force to reckon with sooner than latter,'' he said.

Wiggins, however, said the Indians lag behind when it comes to physical touch on the ground, but it is not something which cannot be corrected over a period of time.

The new India official jersey designed and manufactured by Kappa was unveiled on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Khanna said the IRFU has shortlisted 30 players for the match against Guam and the final team would be announced by Wednesday at the full discretion of the coach.

UNI