By Swaleh | 14h ago | 2 min read
Talismanic Kenya Sevens forward Kevin Wekesa is set to feature in the inaugural Indian Rugby Premier League, scheduled to run from June 15 to 29. He becomes the second Shujaa player confirmed for the groundbreaking tournament after speedster Patrick Odongo.
Wekesa will turn out for the Hyderabad Heroes, who will be coached by Sevens legend DJ Forbes. Odongo, on the other hand, will play for the Delhi Redz, under the leadership of former New Zealand maestro Tomasi Cama.
The Indian Rugby Premier League has attracted a host of world-class Sevens talent, with notable names such as Perry Baker, Rosko Specman, and Scott Curry—who is coming out of retirement—headlining a cast of 30 marquee international players.
“It’s an honour to play in a tournament of this magnitude, alongside some of the best players in the world. I’m relishing the battle,” said Wekesa, who plays domestically for Kabras Sugar RFC.
The league is set to become the world’s first franchise-based rugby sevens competition. It has received backing from World Rugby and will be played during a designated 15-day break in the HSBC SVNS Series to ensure full international participation.
Franchise Format and Global Representation
Six city-based franchises will take part:
Bengaluru Bravehearts
Chennai Bulls
Delhi Redz
Hyderabad Heroes
Kalinga Black Tigers
Mumbai Dreamers
Players from rugby powerhouses including Argentina, South Africa, Great Britain, Spain, the USA, New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, and Ireland will participate, joining India’s top domestic talent.
“This is a league that’s been six years in the making. The first big breakthrough came when World Rugby granted us a window with no international Sevens fixtures,” said Rahul Bose, President of Rugby India.
The tournament is being hailed as a milestone for the global expansion of rugby sevens and a major opportunity for Indian rugby to grow in stature on the world stage.
