Rugby Kids Festival to put youngsters in the driving seat

Sixty young players will take their first competitive steps in rugby when the Rugby Kids Festival 2026 gets under way at Gulshan Youth Club ground in Dhaka on Saturday, with the initiative aiming to turn grassroots participation into a lasting pathway for the sport's development in Bangladesh.

Organised by the Bangladesh Rugby Federation Union, with Gulshan Youth Club as its supporting partner, the day-long festival will feature six clubs and players aged 8-10. The announcement was made at a press conference at Gulshan Youth Club auditorium in Gulshan-2 on Thursday.

The competition will be played in the T1 Rugby format, a non-contact version of rugby designed to make the game more accessible, inclusive and appealing to new generations. 

It replaces conventional tackling with touch-based play while retaining essential rugby skills, including passing, evasion and tactical decision-making.

Bangladesh Rugby Federation Union general secretary Akhtar Uz Zaman described it as a departure from conventional rugby, offering children a different and more accessible introduction to the sport.

Gulshan Youth Club president Dr Wahiduzzaman Tamal said supporting children's sporting activities was central to the club's philosophy.

"Playing and providing opportunities for children is our motto. So, when we learnt about this initiative, we gladly came forward to host the festival," he said, adding that the club was considering organising rugby training programmes and tournaments at its premises.

Tournament committee chairman and Federation's vice-president Tareq Chowdhury said participating clubs had received basic coaching, with trainers sent to each club.

"To popularise rugby across the country, we must bring children into the game. We will also try to involve more clubs in future editions," he said.

Group A comprises Gulshan Youth Club, Azad Sporting Club and Flame Boys Club, while Group B features Old DOHS Club, Victoria Sporting Club and Agrabad Noujowan Club of Chattogram. Each team will field 10 players. The two group winners will advance directly to the final. Awards will be presented, but there will be no prize money.

The Group A champions will face the Group B champions in the final, with the kick-off time yet to be specified.
Beyond the trophies, the festival seeks to promote teamwork, discipline and leadership while providing a platform for discovering young talent and building a stronger rugby culture in Bangladesh.