Sports · Other Sports · 1 day ago
Kerala panel directs state to include rugby in school sports meet
Kerala’s State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has directed the General Education department to include rugby in the State School Sports Meet.
The case began after Ameya Sandeep, a student and under-18 national rugby player, said rugby was missing from the state meet’s rules.
Rugby had been included in the 70th National School Games, but students in Kerala were losing opportunities to compete at state level.
Ameya approached the Kerala High Court, which on October 1 told the state government to decide on the issue within four weeks.
The commission said officials should consider competitions or open selection trials, with suitable facilities, age groups and safety measures.
It also said rugby should be added to the 2026-27 National School Games fixture and the state meet’s manual.
Officials are to account for national competition dates and entry deadlines so Kerala students do not miss out.
The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights directed the General Education department to include rugby in the State School Sports Meet.
The commission called for the competition to be conducted in a time-bound manner and for the High Court’s verdict to be implemented without delay.
The direction followed a petition by Ameya Sandeep, a Plus One student who had represented the under-18 girls team in the National Rugby Championship.
The commission asked officials to consider competitions or transparent selection trials and to ensure facilities, fixtures, age categories and safety measures.
It also called for rugby to be included in the 2026-27 National School Games fixture and in the State School Sports Meet manual.
- Who
- The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights directed the General Education department. The petition was filed by student Ameya Sandeep.
- What
- The department was directed to include rugby in the State School Sports Meet and take steps to conduct the competition in a time-bound manner.
- When
- The commission’s direction was reported on October 10, 2026. The High Court issued its direction on October 1.
- Where
- Kerala, India.
- Why
- Ameya said rugby-playing students were losing out on opportunities because rugby was absent from the State meet manual.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Steps should be taken to conduct the competition in a time-bound manner.
The High Court verdict in this regard should be implemented without delay
The Kerala High Court directed the State government to take a decision on the matter within four weeks.
The commission directed the General Education department to include rugby in the State School Sports Meet.
- Petitioner
- Ameya Sandeep, a Plus One student
- School
- Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Peroorkada
- High Court direction
- October 1; decision required within four weeks
- National School Games
- Rugby to be included in the 2026-27 fixture
Sources
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