Rugby Premier League season 2 kicks off in Hyderabad with star-studded Hyderabad Heroes

The second edition of the Rugby Premier League begins on June 16 at Gachibowli Stadium, Hyderabad. Featuring legends like DJ Forbes and Manuel Moreno, the Hyderabad Heroes aim to inspire Indian fans and grow rugby’s popularity across the country

Hyderabad: Rugby India President and League Commissioner Rahul Bose says the second edition of the Rugby Premier League, to be held here from June 16 at Gachibowli Stadium, will be a game-changer, giving a new direction and fillip to the sport in India.

Speaking at the unveiling of the Hyderabad Heroes jersey here on Thursday, Rahul said this is for a simple reason: the League features some of the legends of the sport, including Spanish superstar Manuel Moreno (Heroes captain), Heroes head coach and World Rugby Hall of Famer DJ Forbes, India’s vice-captain Sumit Kumar Roy, Kevin Wekesa, Regan Ware, Maurice Longbottom, Francisco Cosculluela, Wolfram Hacker, Ravuama Seruvakula, Diego Ardao, Taitaifono Senio Tavita, Sambit Pradhan, Shivam Shukla, Rajan Rawat, and K. Muhammed Anes.

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“To be honest, some of these legends have the stature of Ronaldos and Messis of football. It’s a great platform for Indian players to keep looking ahead, and the sport itself has been gaining immense popularity, especially in second-tier cities,” Rahul Bose said.

“This is not a League featuring faded stars but some of the finest players the sport has seen worldwide. The whole world is looking at India because of this RPL, which is not just for die-hard fans but for newcomers to the sport too,” the Rugby India chief added.

“The Hyderabad Heroes is another feather in the cap for KLO Sports, and both Sanjay and I are excited for the upcoming season. Season 1 was exciting, and we look forward to an even better Season 2, hosted in Hyderabad. As the home team, we are confident of inspiring the people of Hyderabad to fall in love with Rugby. We have immense faith in the way our squad has been shaping up and in the leadership of our coach, DJ Forbes, who needs no introduction. This league reflects everything KLO Sports stands for in terms of inclusivity and opportunity, and we are optimistic about the future of Rugby in India. Credit to GMR and Rugby India for making this happen,” said Mr. Srinath Chitoori, co-owner of KLO Sports.

Dr. Narendra Ram Nambula, President of the Rugby Association of Telangana, and Mr. Sujoy Ganguly, CMO and Vice President of GMR Sports, were among those present at the event.

In the first match on June 16, Hyderabad Heroes will take on Bengaluru Bravehearts.