look news india
Guwahati, 24 February (HS). South African rugby coach Keano Fourie has been watching every match at the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) Ashtalakshmi 2023 and taking detailed notes about the strengths and weaknesses of the players.
Fourie, who first came to India in 2022 as a mentor for the Bihar rugby team, is now part of the coaching staff at Rugby India's High-Performance Center in Bhubaneswar. He is looking for talent in Guwahati.
Fourie said the Indian talent in rugby is tremendous but has not yet reached its full potential. Our aim is to identify promising players and connect them to universities with exceptional performance. Increasing awareness and participation in rugby (especially among children) will increase self-confidence and deepen the enjoyment of the game within young people. Leveraging platforms like Khelo India will provide vital exposure to young athletes, ensuring that the talent pool is nurtured and empowered.
Fourie points out that different states and regions in India have diverse genetic makeup and the diversity provides a rich talent pool that needs to be identified and nurtured.
He said that our current focus is on assessing the talent pool at the university level, especially from Khelo India. We are checking whether the playing style, skill level and overall alignment matches our objectives. We are also evaluating the effectiveness of our efforts.
Rugby coach Keano Fourie said his focus is now on developing a strategy to empower players at university level to excel and contribute to the wider rugby community, fostering a culture of development and success.
