Back
Directs State Government To Consider Inclusion Of Rugby In School Games Meet
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas of the has directed the State Government to consider a representation urging the inclusion of rugby in the Kerala State School Athletic and Games Meet, observing that the sport's presence at the national level makes its promotion at the state level imperative.
The directive came on a filed by Ameya Sandeep , a 17-year-old Plus One student and rugby player, who participated in the 2026 National Rugby Championships in the Girls Under-18 category. Represented by her father and guardian, Sandeep alleged that despite rugby being included in the National School Games conducted by the , it remains absent from the official Manual governing the state-level school games.
A Plea for Sport's Place in State Games
The petitioner recounted approaching multiple authorities, including the and the , seeking the inclusion of rugby. A representation dated was submitted to the State Government, but no decision had been taken by the time the petition was heard. The had also submitted a similar representation on , which likewise remained unaddressed.
Aggrieved by the refusal evident in an earlier order (Ext.P11) from the , the petitioner sought a to compel the government to consider her appeal.
Court's View: National Presence Necessitates State Inclusion
The Court noted that the matter required serious consideration by the appropriate authority. Observing the link between national and state-level sporting frameworks, Justice Thomas remarked:
"Since Rugby is an event included in the National School Games, its inclusion in the State-level Sports and Games events would, , appear to be necessary for the promotion of the sport of Rugby in the State."
The Court further emphasized the need for timely action given the administrative requirements for hosting sports events and the upcoming calendar.
Direction for Expedited Consideration
Without delving into the merits of inclusion, the Court the with a single directive: the of the State Government must consider and pass appropriate orders on the petitioner's representation (Ext.P12) as expeditiously as possible, preferably within four weeks of receiving a copy of the judgment.
The decision underscores the judiciary's role in ensuring administrative responsiveness, particularly when it involves the development of grassroots sports. While the court refrained from mandating inclusion, the direction sets the stage for the State Government to evaluate the proposal on its merits.
