(1888PressRelease)
September 30, 2009 - Karnataka Rugby Football Union, a registered Society that is committed to the promotion of rugby in Karnataka is embarking on a unique initiative to raise funds for its U16 team for participating in the All India tournament that will take place in Orissa in December 2009. The KRFU and the U16 team will together attempt “The world’s longest TRY” on September 20, 2009 at Bangalore.
Currently the only similar record in rugby in Guinness book of records is for the maximum number of tackles and KRFU hopes that its attempt if successful will find its way into the Limca Book of Records. KRFU has since written to the Editor of Limca Book of Records and the attempt will be considered for inclusion in the 2011 edition. Leading actor, model, and Indian International rugby player Vinay Rai, a Bangalorean who has delivered three consecutive hit movies in Kollywood formally announced the record breaking the attempt through a symbolic gesture of passing the rugby to a member of the U16 team which was in turn passed by all the spokespersons assembled.
“The world’s longest try” is an attempt to create a new Indian and world record for completing the most number of valid rugby passes over an 80 minute period of play. There will be 4x15 minutes session each with 5 minute breaks since the try is physically exhausting as the players have to run while carrying the ball. The target is to complete at least 2000 valid passes and the team is expected to cover over 10 KMs during the entire try. Each running member of the team for the attempt will have sponsors and the money thus raised will be used by the team to meet all the expenses in its preparation and participation of the tournament later this year. Bangaloreans of all walks of life who are interested can join KRFU members and the team attempting the record on September 20th at BRV ground, to cheer along. There is no entry fee and the organizers are hoping the team gets motivation from a cheering crowd in its record breaking attempt.
Speaking post the formal announcement of the record initiative, Vinay Rai, an experienced international rugby player himself, said,” This is not just about breaking a record. This is to show that there is a growing following for rugby in Bangalore and Karnataka and that we are keen to have more and more people experience rugby so we can develop the sport from the grassroots. This Sunday I invite interested Bangaloreans to be there cheering the team and realizing the benefits of an active sport like rugby.”
According to Gerald Prabhu, Vice President, KRFU, “There have been numerous fund raising attempt by many sports but we believe that the best way to do so is by interestingly showcasing what the sport is all about. That is how this record attempt evolved and I am happy to see that within 2 weeks of us agreeing to try it we are where we are today and it is our sincere hope that more and more people read this come to the ground to watch the attempt and then start being involved with rugby. I am also inviting corporates and individuals to come forward to support rugby since it is a sport that has a lot going for it and is a popular sport worldwide as well.”
In his comments, Adam Whittington, Coach of the Bangalore U16 team, said,” Rugby as a sport is physically exhausting and demands a lot from its players and we wanted to go all out in providing everything the boys need to do their best in this year’s national tournament. The money raised will be used to cover the costs of travel and accommodation, nutrition for the squad besides ensuring they are properly kitted out from jerseys, shorts, medical kit, protective equipment and for practice equipment like tackle bags. If you are there this Sunday you will realize that though it sounds simple, this attempt will require a combination of skill, determination, stamina, teamwork and lots of enthusiasm.”
According to Shaik Rahman, member of the Bangalore U16 team,” Rugby is the most enjoyable game I have ever played though exhausting. The opportunity to play in a national tournament is a dream come true and looks forward to doing well in the tournament.”
Added, Sachin Shetty, another member of Bangalore U16 team,” This record attempt is both fun and a novel way to raise awareness for rugby. Am happy that it will help us in our preparations for the national tournament and anyways we are practicing hard and leaving no stones unturned to do well in the tournament and bring Bangalore laurels. I am looking forward to participating in the record attempt also.”
About KRFU: Karnataka Rugby Football Union (KRFU), a registered society formed for the promotion of rugby in Karnataka, currently supports a wide range of rugby activities across Bangalore. These include senior men and women’s teams, and a youth development programme (at U20 and U16level) plus active collaborations with a number of schools, colleges and NGOs. The Bangalore rugby club under KRFU is growing to be one of the top clubs being currently ranked No. 6 amongst the 36 clubs in India today. KRFU ranges from minis learning the fundamentals of the game through working with local Charities to give underprivileged children sporting opportunities, competitive inter-school youth rugby, and up to a highly ranked senior side with a number of Indian International players some of whom are preparing to represent India's Rugby Sevens side at the 2010 Commonwealth games.
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