The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has directed the General Education department to include rugby in the State School Sports Meet.
Steps should be taken to conduct the competition in a time-bound manner. The High Court verdict in this regard should be implemented without delay, the commission said.
It was acting on a petition by Ameya Sandeep, a Plus One student of Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Peroorkada, in the State capital.
The student, who had represented the under-18 girls team in the National Rugby Championship, had contended that rugby had been included in the 70th National School Games conducted by the School Games Federation of India, but not in the manual of the State School Sports Meet. She had approached the General Education department pointing out that many rugby-playing students were losing out on opportunities but to no avail. Thereafter, Ameya moved the Kerala High Court, which on October 1 directed the State government to take a decision on the matter within four weeks.
The commission, comprising members Shajesh Bhskar P. and Wilson F., directed the department authorities to examine if district or State levels competitions or transparent selection trials could be held by ensuring facilities, fixtures, age categories, and safety measures.
The date of the national-level competition, eligibility criteria, and the date for submitting entries should be taken into account to ensure that students from the State do not lose out on opportunities.
Steps should be taken to include rugby in the fixture for the 2026-27 National School Games.
The authorities, including the General Education Special Secretary, Director of General Education, sport organiser in the Directorate of General Education, and the Kerala State School Games joint director in the directorate, should also pay attention to bring in amendment to include rugby in the manual for the State School Sports Meet, the commission said.
Published – October 10, 2026 08:38 pm IST
