Ugandan rugby sevens maestro Philip Wokorach has emerged as one of the standout stars in the ongoing GMR Rugby Premier League (RPL), drawing attention not only for his electric performances with the Bengaluru Bravehearts but also for his insight into India’s rugby future.
As one of five international stars tipped to watch in the competition, Wokorach believes the league’s grassroots approach is laying the foundation for a strong rugby culture in India.
“What I love most about what GMR RPL have done here is bringing school kids to watch the games,” Wokorach said. “That’s where the foundation starts – when children watch and get inspired to play. They’re the future.”
Wokorach’s sentiments were echoed by several Olympians participating in the RPL, who expressed optimism about India’s trajectory in the fast-paced format of rugby sevens. Since its Olympic debut in 2016, the shortened, high-intensity version of rugby has exploded in popularity globally. Now, India appears to be joining that movement.
Kenyan speedster Kevin Wekesa, turning out for the Hyderabad Heroes, said the GMR RPL is exactly what Indian rugby needs. “From what I’ve seen, the Indian boys are really good. In 3-7 years, India could be a force in the World Series or even the Olympics,” he noted. Wekesa added that the energy in the stands — filled with enthusiastic young fans receiving jerseys and rugby balls — shows the sport is connecting with the next generation.
Lucas Lacamp of the United States, representing the Kalinga Black Tigers, praised the rapid improvement among local players. “They’ve grown so much in just one week. With every season, they’ll get better. If India builds the right infrastructure and puts investment in the right places, there’s no limit to their potential,” he said.
Henry Hutchison from Australia, who suits up for Mumbai Dreamers, provided a dose of constructive feedback. He stressed that while India has great promise, players need to grasp the strategic nuances of the game. “Rugby is a game of consequence. One mistake can cost you. That awareness is where Indian players need to improve,” he stated.
Apart from Wokorach, other top international talents lighting up the league include Vaafauese Maliko (Chennai Bulls), Akuila Rokolisoa (Bengaluru Bravehearts), Joji Nasova (Hyderabad Heroes), and Javed Hussain (Hyderabad Heroes).
The growth of rugby in India is being championed by Rugby India (officially the Indian Rugby Football Union, established in 1998) and GMR Sports, the driving force behind the RPL. Already active in cricket with the Delhi Capitals, GMR has expanded into rugby with a vision to elevate Indian talent and promote inclusivity across age groups and genders.
