Indian rugby body thrilled with IOC decision

Mumbai: The Indian rugby authorities expressed delight at the inclusion of seven-a-side rugby in the Olympic Games programme and said this would give a major boost to the game in the country. "All of us in the association are absolutely delighted and feel the game will take off in our country and other countries like USA and China that will lead to its rise in popularity," Indian Rugby Football Union`s vice president Aga Hussain told agency. Golf and rugby were approved as Olympic sports today by the International Olympic Committee which voted at Copenhagen, Denmark to include both sports on the programme for the 2016 and 2020 Summer Games. Hussain, who is in Delhi currently with the rugby body`s development manager Greg Davey, also expressed optimism that this would give a fillip to the government`s support for the game. "We are hopeful our government will look at it (rugby) in a much more positive manner," he said. Rugby is a medal sport in next year`s Commonwealth Games in Delhi and the Indian team members have started preparing seriously to improve their standard by taking part in various sevens tournament within and outside the country. Bureau Report