Where do they go for practice?

Venues for Rugby warm-up games are yet to get MCD approval

IN UK they say "Rugby is a game for barbarians played by gentlemen."

But Ruggers from several Commonwealth nations are oblivious to the fact that they might not get any ground to push, jostle and get the dirt on their shirts before the final matches in the 2010 Commonwealth Games.


Scrums or ruggers? Scotland's rugby team practising at Hindu College
rugby ground. Most of the grounds at the Delhi University are yet to be
fully developed. PIC/IMTIYAZ KHAN

Several Rugby practice venues to be constructed in the Delhi University are not just running behind schedule, with just about 40 days left for the event to begin, but also they do not have the required approval from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

The grounds for training sessions and other related construction was started three years ago in order to get the work completed before the games. But not just the construction is struggling to meet the deadline the college authorities were in the dark over getting necessary approval from the MCD.

"A meeting was held in the university with members from seven colleges which was also attended by MCD officials. In that meeting, it came to our notice that the construction work is yet to be approved by the MCD," a Delhi University official told MiD DAY, requesting anonymity.

The Principals of the colleges concerned refused to comment. "I would not like to comment on this," said Valson Thampu, Principal, St Stephen's College.

"I don't have any idea regarding this. The government has asked us to prepare the grounds and we are doing it. I don't know anything more than that," said Rajendar Kumar, Principal, Ramjas College.

Interestingly, Vice-Chancellor Deepak Pental confirmed that all projects have been approved by the MCD. "Yes, the constructions are approved (by MCD)," said Pental. According to the sources, on Wednesday, the technical committee of the Commonwealth Games along with the MCD officials visited the university area to see the preparations.

The committee expressed its concern over the clearance from MCD, they said. Contrary to Pental's claim, MCD spokesperson Deep mathur confirmed that the civic body is yet to clear the Rugby training grounds being constructed in the Delhi University.

"The construction of the playgrounds for the rugby training sessions are not approved," said Mathur.

The construction of the playgrounds for Rugby training sessions is not approved.u00a0
- Deep Mathur, spokesperson, MCD

We have got all necessary clearances.
-u00a0Deepak Pental, Vice-Chancellor, Delhi University

LUCKY SEVEN
The Delhi University will be hosting an event called Rugby Seven for which seven colleges have been selected to host the training and warm up matches.
The seven colleges are Hindu College, Ramjas, Shri Ram College of Commerce, Kirori Mal College, Daulat Ram, St. Stephen's and SGTB Khalsa.