A new beginning for rugby at St Joseph Int'l School

 
A new chapter for rugby began at St Joseph International School on Wednesday, as the school took its first formal steps towards introducing the sport to its students.

The beginning came with a simple but symbolic gesture. Sayeed Ahmed, joint secretary of the Bangladesh Rugby Federation (Union), handed an official rugby ball to the school's principal, Brother Raktim Libio Chiran, CSC, during a courtesy meeting at the institution.

More than a ceremonial exchange, the handover signalled the start of a proposed partnership aimed at taking rugby into the school environment and, ultimately, developing the sport from the grassroots.

Sayeed said the federation was working to identify and nurture new talent through schools and colleges, stressing that the involvement of established educational institutions could give the sport a stronger foundation.

"Bangladesh Rugby Federation is working relentlessly to produce new talented players from schools and colleges. If renowned educational institutions such as St Joseph International School come forward, the rugby landscape in Bangladesh will become richer," he said.

Brother Raktim, meanwhile, emphasised the importance of organised team sports in the physical and mental development of students alongside academic education. He sought the federation's support in arranging regular rugby training for the school's students.

The others attended the programme were Brother Ujwal, principal of St Nicholas School, sports teacher Wilson and members of the teaching staff.

For rugby in Bangladesh, the significance of the occasion lies perhaps less in the ball itself than in where it was placed, in the hands of a school principal, at the threshold of a new sporting journey.

The next step will be to take that ball from ceremony to the playing field, giving St Joseph International School students an opportunity to discover a sport built on teamwork, discipline and camaraderie.