Date:06/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/06/stories/2008090654462000.htm

Sport - Sports : General

Nationals from today

KOLKATA: Holder Indian Army would be leading the challenge in the 75th edition of the all-India and South Asia rugby, which gets underway here on Saturday.

In all 12 best teams from the country will be vying for the National title, the final for which is scheduled on September 13.

Army, which has fielded two teams A and B, would be challenged by last year’s runner-up Chennai Cheetas and the traditionally strong sides like Bombay Gymkhana, Mumbai State Police (MSP) and the host Calcutta Cricket and Football Club (CC&FC). Among the other outstation teams are — Tamil Nadu Police, Bangalore and Delhi Hurricanes. Jungle Crows, Future Hope and Armenian Sports Club are the three local outfits. There are no teams from abroad this time.

The winners of the first round move on to the main round while the losers play in a separate plate tournament.

In the first round draw defending champion Army-A takes on the Armenians. The semifinals will be held on September 11 while the final comes up after a day’s rest. — Principal Correspondent