Guwahati, Dec. 16 : Rugby is gaining enormous popularity among sports enthusiasts of Assam particularly with the youth.

Rugby lovers from different parts of the State recently participated in a State level selection Rugby camp held in Guwahati.

Organised by Rugby Association of Assam, the Rugby camp offered a new hope to the local footballers to create a niche for them in the state.

Bimal Ch. Goswami, General Secretary, Rugby Association, Assam, said: "Rugby game has been recently introduced here. We gave coaching in Kokajhar, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Baksar and the performance was good. Nowadays everybody knows about Rugby game through TV and it is getting popularity too. More youth are coming forward to play the game."

Mintu Kumar Saikia, one Rugby player, said: "Rugby is a new game. Through this, we are able to perform well. We develop good stamina and are able to maintain our health also. We like rugby game a lot and that''s why we play it."

The Assamese Team recently participated in Rugby in the 33rd National Game in Guwahati and this gave a further boost to the sport in the state.

The British introduced Rugby to India. But its popularity has increased over the years and has spread all over the country. The main centres where Rugby is played are Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, and Bangalore. (ANI)