Delhi rugby players clear cow dung and debris before practice at city's only stadium

Delhi rugby players spend nearly an hour clearing cow dung, broken glass, and debris from their training ground before practice can begin at the city's only designated rugby stadium in Maidan Garhi.

The 3.25-acre facility, allocated by the Delhi Development Authority six years ago, lacks basic amenities including rugby posts, drinking water, changing rooms, and functional toilets. Players arrive at 6 AM on weekends but must first clean the field of waste and sharp objects that accumulate throughout the week due to the absence of security or proper fencing.

"Former BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri inaugurated this place as a rugby stadium, but everyone can see for themselves what is here now," said Rohit, one of the coaches. "There is nothing here, no water, no toilets, no changing rooms and no maintenance."

The ground serves as Delhi's primary rugby training facility despite its deteriorated state, with over 1,000 players across age groups connected to the city's rugby ecosystem according to Delhi Rugby Association president Mithun Gaur. Most participants come from working-class families, children of drivers, vegetable vendors, security guards, and daily wage workers who travel up to 10 kilometers to attend practice sessions. The facility doubles as a public hangout spot due to inadequate security, creating safety concerns particularly for female players who often face harassment from men passing through the area.

The infrastructure challenges reflect broader issues facing rugby development in Delhi compared to states like Odisha and Bihar, where government-backed tournaments, structured clubs, and job opportunities for players have accelerated the sport's growth. Former India captains Gautam Dagar and Neha Pardeshi, who now coach at the facility, coordinate school outreach programs and arrange travel for tournaments while personally funding much of the association's operations. The couple estimates spending lakhs annually to maintain training programs and support players seeking educational opportunities through sports quotas.

Sportscape observesthat Delhi's rugby community demonstrates remarkable resilience in maintaining training standards despite systemic neglect of basic infrastructure. The contrast between player dedication and facility conditions underscores the urgent need for sustained institutional support to match the sport's growing popularity across India.