The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has directed the state authorities to include rugby in the ongoing Keralam State School Sports Meet and organise the competition within the stipulated timeframe. The panel has also asked the General Education Department to urgently decide on conducting a separate district- or state-level rugby competition or holding transparent selection trials to ensure that student players do not miss opportunities to participate in national-level events.
According to reports, the direction aims to address the exclusion of rugby from the state school sports meet manual, despite the sport being included in the National School Games conducted by the School Games Federation of India (SGFI).
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Why Has Kerala's Child Rights Panel Directed Rugby's Inclusion?
The decision follows a petition by Ameya Sandeep, a student of a government higher secondary school in Thiruvananthapuram who represented the Under-18 girls team at the National Rugby Championship 2026.
The petitioner highlighted that rugby was included in the 70th National School Games organised by the School Games Federation of India but was absent from the Keralam State School Games manual. This exclusion, according to the petition, restricted opportunities for students playing rugby in Kerala to participate in state-level school competitions and progress to national-level events.
The student had previously approached the General Education Department seeking the inclusion of rugby in the state sports meet. After the request was rejected, she approached the Kerala High Court, which directed the government to consider the matter seriously.
What Has the Kerala Child Rights Commission Directed?
The commission has asked the General Education Department to take urgent steps to facilitate rugby competitions within the prescribed timeframe. It has directed the department to decide whether a separate district-level or state-level competition should be conducted or whether transparent selection trials would be more appropriate.
The panel has also emphasised that the arrangements must include adequate sporting facilities, an approved competition format, appropriate age categories and necessary safety measures.
Authorities have been asked to consider the dates of national-level events, eligibility requirements and entry submission deadlines so that eligible students are not deprived of participation opportunities because of administrative delays.
Kerala High Court's Earlier Direction on Rugby
The development follows an earlier direction from the Kerala High Court on a petition seeking the inclusion of rugby in the Kerala State School Athletic and Games Meet.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas directed the state government to consider the representation seeking rugby's inclusion. The court observed that rugby was already recognised as an event in the National School Games and that its inclusion in state-level school sports competitions appeared necessary for promoting the sport in Kerala.
The court asked the competent authority to consider the representation and pass appropriate orders as expeditiously as possible, preferably within four weeks of receiving a copy of the judgment.
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