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Rahul Bose bats for Rugby Revolution with RPL 2, Women’s League and Olympic ambitions on the horizon Film star-turned sports administrator Rahul Bose wears many hats, from being an award-winning actor to now, being the President of Rugby India.Before the second edition of the Rugby Premier League (RPL), planned in Hyderabad next month, the 58-year-old discusses the present state of Rugby in India and the future of the sport, in an exclusive chat with Sportstar.Q: How do you look at the second edition of the league? How different will it be from the first?A: Yes, we were always wanting to have an RPL Women last year also. But because there was so much to look at, which was new to us, we decided to stay with RPL Men. But this year, the franchises have been very, very forthcoming.We have dug into our pockets, and we have made sure that we have created the financial as well as operational space to run a women’s league at the same time as the men’s. So in effect, the same two weeks that we had last year, when the men’s league was running, the women’s league will run at the same time. Instead of two games a day, we’ll have four, sometimes five games a day.It will build for a longer, more interesting evening for people who are coming to the stadium as well as those who are viewing it online. That’s one big difference. The second big difference is that our partners — Jio Hotstar and Star Sports have now partnered to have it on YouTube and TV.ALSO READ: RPL 2026 — Second season of Rugby Premier League to be played in Hyderabad in JuneWe were always certain that the venue would move from city to city. From Mumbai, it has come to Hyderabad and will move to other venues in future.Q: How do you see Hyderabad as a venue?A: It’s a city where the scale of the stadium is bigger than what we had in Mumbai. So we are very much looking forward to having experiences for fans and things in the stadium, along with the fact that it’s a longer evening. So we are very clear that we are setting our sights on creating not one but two world-class products. The second season of Rugby Premier League will take place at the Gachibowli Stadium, which has also hosted football matches in the past. | Photo Credit: Nagara Gopal The second season of Rugby Premier League will take place at the Gachibowli Stadium, which has also hosted football matches in the past. | Photo Credit: Nagara Gopal Q: What are the major challenges involved in getting franchises for the Women’s League?A: I think almost everybody was ideologically very, very certain that they wanted to be part of it. But the economics had to work. And we are a league where we run a very tight ship. We are very, very collaborative and fair with our franchise owners.At the same time, we cannot expect, should I say, generosity that’s unreasonable. So everybody was ideologically in line with us. So, what we did was we made a lot of attractive benefits for franchises, more attractive than they were last year, so that they would come to the women’s game this year. Thankfully, our franchises understood that.We didn’t want to go for six or eight franchises because of the operational difficulties. So four is very solid, and we’ll have 48 players, 24 foreigners, 24 Indians. And yet, it will be operationally manageable.Q: How is the pace of the sport across India?A: India has 760 districts. Rugby is in 322 districts. 40 per cent of India plays rugby. So our grassroots are strong. For the last five years, we’ve had 320 districts. We had the option to either spread the districts or to deepen the involvement of the players in those districts. We’ve chosen the latter. We’ve chosen to deepen involvement in the 322 districts. We want those players to stay with the game.Q: Any major initiatives to take the sport to the next level?A: We are not taking it to more unexplored regions. We are (already) in 322 districts, which is a lot. It’s a captive population of 650 million people. But in terms of initiatives, we’ve had the Asmita Women’s League. Players in action during an ASMITA Rugby State League Jammu and Kashmir at the Multipurpose Indoor Sports Stadium. | Photo Credit: Imran Nissar Players in action during an ASMITA Rugby State League Jammu and Kashmir at the Multipurpose Indoor Sports Stadium. | Photo Credit: Imran Nissar The Government of India has given us solid support, and between 30 and 50 cities across India have had a women’s rugby league last year. We have over 30 national tournaments that happen.I would say that this is probably the most played, least known game in India.Q: What are the realistic goals?A: One is to make sure that something like the RPL happens, which brings rugby to the eyes of people through mass media. The second is for our (national) teams to do well. The moment our teams begin to win, it will automatically begin to become popular.So for the teams to do well, you have to put a lot of money into high performance. Right now, our women are sixth in Asia out of 36 nations. Rahul Bose feels the Indian women’s national team has a quicker chance to make it to the Olympics because of its higher ranking in Asia. | Photo Credit: Nissar Ahmad Rahul Bose feels the Indian women’s national team has a quicker chance to make it to the Olympics because of its higher ranking in Asia. | Photo Credit: Nissar Ahmad For perspective, if you get to the top two, you make the Olympics. We are hopeful of making the Olympics in 2032. And we will be the first team sport, after hockey, in 90 years to get to the Olympics.Of course, cricket is in the Olympics, but it’s a very small pool. But, making it to the Olympics in rugby out of over 100, to be one of the 14-15 nations will be very prestigious. Our men’s team, 12th in Asia, has to wait for one more cycle to get there.Q: A roadmap for the sport?A: We’ve had the road map in place for five years, month by month. In fact, when we submitted the road map to the government or the Ministry of Sports, they said they had never seen anything like it in their lives.We submitted this in 2020 on what was planned up to 2030. We’ll be following that. We are slightly ahead in some things, and we’re slightly behind in others. Anyone can track us month by month. Students in a training session at Universal Engineering College at Vallivattom, in Thrissur, Kerala. | Photo Credit: K.K. Najeeb Students in a training session at Universal Engineering College at Vallivattom, in Thrissur, Kerala. | Photo Credit: K.K. Najeeb The Government has always asked for accountability, and we never shy away from being transparent and accountable. In fact, we were awarded the best Federation in the country by the FICCI last year because of our transparency, our ethics and our processes.Q: On areas of focus?A: It’s not in the big cities but in the districts, a cluster of schools, PETs (Physical Education Teachers) through our State Associations that are doing very good work. So we don’t go to one school.ALSO READ: Rugby Premier League Season 2 squads finalised; women’s league set for historic debutYou cannot think of this as a metro sport but as a hinterland sport instead. Most of our players come from the bottom of the social pyramid. We don’t do a caste census. But socio-economically, they are the poorest of the poor.Q: How are the players supported in the Rubgy ecosystem?A: We are one of the few federations that give a yearly purse to every state to spend on development, for national tournaments, on jerseys, on transport and on food. That is what they spend in their districts, and all the State Associations have to submit detailed reports on follow-up actions.Q: Tell us the state of sponsorship in Rugby.A: Normally, all our tournaments are funded by us. We have sponsors like Capgemini and DHL, who fund Indian Rugby. We’ve had some government states supporting us in the past. Chennai Bull’s Vaafauese Apelu Maliko in action in the first season of Indian Rugby Premier League (RPL) final against Delhi Redz. | Photo Credit: Getty Images Chennai Bull’s Vaafauese Apelu Maliko in action in the first season of Indian Rugby Premier League (RPL) final against Delhi Redz. | Photo Credit: Getty Images We get money from the Central Government, World Rugby, and small amounts from the Capri Group and Jamuna Auto. So, we raise the money and spend it on national tournaments.Q: What are the major changes you’re looking at from the Indian players’ perspective?A: This is the Federation’s responsibility. It has to raise more money, work harder and build a 365-day-a-year ecosystem around our players. Right now, we can only afford to do it maybe 100 days a year.We would like to build an ecosystem around our 30-40 best players from each team – Under-18 boys, under-18 girls, under-20 boys, under-20 girls, men and women.Q: What are you looking for after the Rugby Premier League?A: I think a real mark of success will be when the six franchises begin to do more work in developing an interest and creating infrastructure in the cities. We don’t have a (major) presence in the cities as a sport. So in these big six cities, we will start to have what we have never had before.Published on May 02, 2026 #Rahul #Bose #bats #Rugby #Revolution #RPL #Womens #League #Olympic #ambitions #horizon

Rahul Bose bats for Rugby Revolution with RPL 2, Women’s League and Olympic ambitions on the horizon

Film star-turned sports administrator Rahul Bose wears many hats, from being an award-winning actor to now, being the President of Rugby India.

Before the second edition of the Rugby Premier League (RPL), planned in Hyderabad next month, the 58-year-old discusses the present state of Rugby in India and the future of the sport, in an exclusive chat with Sportstar.

Q: How do you look at the second edition of the league? How different will it be from the first?

A: Yes, we were always wanting to have an RPL Women last year also. But because there was so much to look at, which was new to us, we decided to stay with RPL Men. But this year, the franchises have been very, very forthcoming.

We have dug into our pockets, and we have made sure that we have created the financial as well as operational space to run a women’s league at the same time as the men’s. So in effect, the same two weeks that we had last year, when the men’s league was running, the women’s league will run at the same time. Instead of two games a day, we’ll have four, sometimes five games a day.

It will build for a longer, more interesting evening for people who are coming to the stadium as well as those who are viewing it online. That’s one big difference. The second big difference is that our partners — Jio Hotstar and Star Sports have now partnered to have it on YouTube and TV.

ALSO READ: RPL 2026 — Second season of Rugby Premier League to be played in Hyderabad in June

We were always certain that the venue would move from city to city. From Mumbai, it has come to Hyderabad and will move to other venues in future.

Q: How do you see Hyderabad as a venue?

A: It’s a city where the scale of the stadium is bigger than what we had in Mumbai. So we are very much looking forward to having experiences for fans and things in the stadium, along with the fact that it’s a longer evening. So we are very clear that we are setting our sights on creating not one but two world-class products.

Rahul Bose bats for Rugby Revolution with RPL 2, Women’s League and Olympic ambitions on the horizon Film star-turned sports administrator Rahul Bose wears many hats, from being an award-winning actor to now, being the President of Rugby India.Before the second edition of the Rugby Premier League (RPL), planned in Hyderabad next month, the 58-year-old discusses the present state of Rugby in India and the future of the sport, in an exclusive chat with Sportstar.Q: How do you look at the second edition of the league? How different will it be from the first?A: Yes, we were always wanting to have an RPL Women last year also. But because there was so much to look at, which was new to us, we decided to stay with RPL Men. But this year, the franchises have been very, very forthcoming.We have dug into our pockets, and we have made sure that we have created the financial as well as operational space to run a women’s league at the same time as the men’s. So in effect, the same two weeks that we had last year, when the men’s league was running, the women’s league will run at the same time. Instead of two games a day, we’ll have four, sometimes five games a day.It will build for a longer, more interesting evening for people who are coming to the stadium as well as those who are viewing it online. That’s one big difference. The second big difference is that our partners — Jio Hotstar and Star Sports have now partnered to have it on YouTube and TV.ALSO READ: RPL 2026 — Second season of Rugby Premier League to be played in Hyderabad in JuneWe were always certain that the venue would move from city to city. From Mumbai, it has come to Hyderabad and will move to other venues in future.Q: How do you see Hyderabad as a venue?A: It’s a city where the scale of the stadium is bigger than what we had in Mumbai. So we are very much looking forward to having experiences for fans and things in the stadium, along with the fact that it’s a longer evening. So we are very clear that we are setting our sights on creating not one but two world-class products. The second season of Rugby Premier League will take place at the Gachibowli Stadium, which has also hosted football matches in the past. | Photo Credit: Nagara Gopal The second season of Rugby Premier League will take place at the Gachibowli Stadium, which has also hosted football matches in the past. | Photo Credit: Nagara Gopal Q: What are the major challenges involved in getting franchises for the Women’s League?A: I think almost everybody was ideologically very, very certain that they wanted to be part of it. But the economics had to work. And we are a league where we run a very tight ship. We are very, very collaborative and fair with our franchise owners.At the same time, we cannot expect, should I say, generosity that’s unreasonable. So everybody was ideologically in line with us. So, what we did was we made a lot of attractive benefits for franchises, more attractive than they were last year, so that they would come to the women’s game this year. Thankfully, our franchises understood that.We didn’t want to go for six or eight franchises because of the operational difficulties. So four is very solid, and we’ll have 48 players, 24 foreigners, 24 Indians. And yet, it will be operationally manageable.Q: How is the pace of the sport across India?A: India has 760 districts. Rugby is in 322 districts. 40 per cent of India plays rugby. So our grassroots are strong. For the last five years, we’ve had 320 districts. We had the option to either spread the districts or to deepen the involvement of the players in those districts. We’ve chosen the latter. We’ve chosen to deepen involvement in the 322 districts. We want those players to stay with the game.Q: Any major initiatives to take the sport to the next level?A: We are not taking it to more unexplored regions. We are (already) in 322 districts, which is a lot. It’s a captive population of 650 million people. But in terms of initiatives, we’ve had the Asmita Women’s League. Players in action during an ASMITA Rugby State League Jammu and Kashmir at the Multipurpose Indoor Sports Stadium. | Photo Credit: Imran Nissar Players in action during an ASMITA Rugby State League Jammu and Kashmir at the Multipurpose Indoor Sports Stadium. | Photo Credit: Imran Nissar The Government of India has given us solid support, and between 30 and 50 cities across India have had a women’s rugby league last year. We have over 30 national tournaments that happen.I would say that this is probably the most played, least known game in India.Q: What are the realistic goals?A: One is to make sure that something like the RPL happens, which brings rugby to the eyes of people through mass media. The second is for our (national) teams to do well. The moment our teams begin to win, it will automatically begin to become popular.So for the teams to do well, you have to put a lot of money into high performance. Right now, our women are sixth in Asia out of 36 nations. Rahul Bose feels the Indian women’s national team has a quicker chance to make it to the Olympics because of its higher ranking in Asia. | Photo Credit: Nissar Ahmad Rahul Bose feels the Indian women’s national team has a quicker chance to make it to the Olympics because of its higher ranking in Asia. | Photo Credit: Nissar Ahmad For perspective, if you get to the top two, you make the Olympics. We are hopeful of making the Olympics in 2032. And we will be the first team sport, after hockey, in 90 years to get to the Olympics.Of course, cricket is in the Olympics, but it’s a very small pool. But, making it to the Olympics in rugby out of over 100, to be one of the 14-15 nations will be very prestigious. Our men’s team, 12th in Asia, has to wait for one more cycle to get there.Q: A roadmap for the sport?A: We’ve had the road map in place for five years, month by month. In fact, when we submitted the road map to the government or the Ministry of Sports, they said they had never seen anything like it in their lives.We submitted this in 2020 on what was planned up to 2030. We’ll be following that. We are slightly ahead in some things, and we’re slightly behind in others. Anyone can track us month by month. Students in a training session at Universal Engineering College at Vallivattom, in Thrissur, Kerala. | Photo Credit: K.K. Najeeb Students in a training session at Universal Engineering College at Vallivattom, in Thrissur, Kerala. | Photo Credit: K.K. Najeeb The Government has always asked for accountability, and we never shy away from being transparent and accountable. In fact, we were awarded the best Federation in the country by the FICCI last year because of our transparency, our ethics and our processes.Q: On areas of focus?A: It’s not in the big cities but in the districts, a cluster of schools, PETs (Physical Education Teachers) through our State Associations that are doing very good work. So we don’t go to one school.ALSO READ: Rugby Premier League Season 2 squads finalised; women’s league set for historic debutYou cannot think of this as a metro sport but as a hinterland sport instead. Most of our players come from the bottom of the social pyramid. We don’t do a caste census. But socio-economically, they are the poorest of the poor.Q: How are the players supported in the Rubgy ecosystem?A: We are one of the few federations that give a yearly purse to every state to spend on development, for national tournaments, on jerseys, on transport and on food. That is what they spend in their districts, and all the State Associations have to submit detailed reports on follow-up actions.Q: Tell us the state of sponsorship in Rugby.A: Normally, all our tournaments are funded by us. We have sponsors like Capgemini and DHL, who fund Indian Rugby. We’ve had some government states supporting us in the past. Chennai Bull’s Vaafauese Apelu Maliko in action in the first season of Indian Rugby Premier League (RPL) final against Delhi Redz. | Photo Credit: Getty Images Chennai Bull’s Vaafauese Apelu Maliko in action in the first season of Indian Rugby Premier League (RPL) final against Delhi Redz. | Photo Credit: Getty Images We get money from the Central Government, World Rugby, and small amounts from the Capri Group and Jamuna Auto. So, we raise the money and spend it on national tournaments.Q: What are the major changes you’re looking at from the Indian players’ perspective?A: This is the Federation’s responsibility. It has to raise more money, work harder and build a 365-day-a-year ecosystem around our players. Right now, we can only afford to do it maybe 100 days a year.We would like to build an ecosystem around our 30-40 best players from each team – Under-18 boys, under-18 girls, under-20 boys, under-20 girls, men and women.Q: What are you looking for after the Rugby Premier League?A: I think a real mark of success will be when the six franchises begin to do more work in developing an interest and creating infrastructure in the cities. We don’t have a (major) presence in the cities as a sport. So in these big six cities, we will start to have what we have never had before.Published on May 02, 2026 #Rahul #Bose #bats #Rugby #Revolution #RPL #Womens #League #Olympic #ambitions #horizon

The second season of Rugby Premier League will take place at the Gachibowli Stadium, which has also hosted football matches in the past. | Photo Credit: Nagara Gopal

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The second season of Rugby Premier League will take place at the Gachibowli Stadium, which has also hosted football matches in the past. | Photo Credit: Nagara Gopal

Q: What are the major challenges involved in getting franchises for the Women’s League?

A: I think almost everybody was ideologically very, very certain that they wanted to be part of it. But the economics had to work. And we are a league where we run a very tight ship. We are very, very collaborative and fair with our franchise owners.

At the same time, we cannot expect, should I say, generosity that’s unreasonable. So everybody was ideologically in line with us. So, what we did was we made a lot of attractive benefits for franchises, more attractive than they were last year, so that they would come to the women’s game this year. Thankfully, our franchises understood that.

We didn’t want to go for six or eight franchises because of the operational difficulties. So four is very solid, and we’ll have 48 players, 24 foreigners, 24 Indians. And yet, it will be operationally manageable.

Q: How is the pace of the sport across India?

A: India has 760 districts. Rugby is in 322 districts. 40 per cent of India plays rugby. So our grassroots are strong. For the last five years, we’ve had 320 districts. We had the option to either spread the districts or to deepen the involvement of the players in those districts. We’ve chosen the latter. We’ve chosen to deepen involvement in the 322 districts. We want those players to stay with the game.

Q: Any major initiatives to take the sport to the next level?

A: We are not taking it to more unexplored regions. We are (already) in 322 districts, which is a lot. It’s a captive population of 650 million people. But in terms of initiatives, we’ve had the Asmita Women’s League.

Players in action during an ASMITA Rugby State League Jammu and Kashmir at the Multipurpose Indoor Sports Stadium.

Players in action during an ASMITA Rugby State League Jammu and Kashmir at the Multipurpose Indoor Sports Stadium. | Photo Credit: Imran Nissar

lightbox-info

Players in action during an ASMITA Rugby State League Jammu and Kashmir at the Multipurpose Indoor Sports Stadium. | Photo Credit: Imran Nissar

The Government of India has given us solid support, and between 30 and 50 cities across India have had a women’s rugby league last year. We have over 30 national tournaments that happen.

I would say that this is probably the most played, least known game in India.

Q: What are the realistic goals?

A: One is to make sure that something like the RPL happens, which brings rugby to the eyes of people through mass media. The second is for our (national) teams to do well. The moment our teams begin to win, it will automatically begin to become popular.

So for the teams to do well, you have to put a lot of money into high performance. Right now, our women are sixth in Asia out of 36 nations.

Rahul Bose feels the Indian women’s national team has a quicker chance to make it to the Olympics because of its higher ranking in Asia.

Rahul Bose feels the Indian women’s national team has a quicker chance to make it to the Olympics because of its higher ranking in Asia. | Photo Credit: Nissar Ahmad

lightbox-info

Rahul Bose feels the Indian women’s national team has a quicker chance to make it to the Olympics because of its higher ranking in Asia. | Photo Credit: Nissar Ahmad

For perspective, if you get to the top two, you make the Olympics. We are hopeful of making the Olympics in 2032. And we will be the first team sport, after hockey, in 90 years to get to the Olympics.

Of course, cricket is in the Olympics, but it’s a very small pool. But, making it to the Olympics in rugby out of over 100, to be one of the 14-15 nations will be very prestigious. Our men’s team, 12th in Asia, has to wait for one more cycle to get there.

Q: A roadmap for the sport?

A: We’ve had the road map in place for five years, month by month. In fact, when we submitted the road map to the government or the Ministry of Sports, they said they had never seen anything like it in their lives.

We submitted this in 2020 on what was planned up to 2030. We’ll be following that. We are slightly ahead in some things, and we’re slightly behind in others. Anyone can track us month by month.

Students in a training session at Universal Engineering College at Vallivattom, in Thrissur, Kerala.

Students in a training session at Universal Engineering College at Vallivattom, in Thrissur, Kerala. | Photo Credit: K.K. Najeeb

lightbox-info

Students in a training session at Universal Engineering College at Vallivattom, in Thrissur, Kerala. | Photo Credit: K.K. Najeeb

The Government has always asked for accountability, and we never shy away from being transparent and accountable. In fact, we were awarded the best Federation in the country by the FICCI last year because of our transparency, our ethics and our processes.

Q: On areas of focus?

A: It’s not in the big cities but in the districts, a cluster of schools, PETs (Physical Education Teachers) through our State Associations that are doing very good work. So we don’t go to one school.

ALSO READ: Rugby Premier League Season 2 squads finalised; women’s league set for historic debut

You cannot think of this as a metro sport but as a hinterland sport instead. Most of our players come from the bottom of the social pyramid. We don’t do a caste census. But socio-economically, they are the poorest of the poor.

Q: How are the players supported in the Rubgy ecosystem?

A: We are one of the few federations that give a yearly purse to every state to spend on development, for national tournaments, on jerseys, on transport and on food. That is what they spend in their districts, and all the State Associations have to submit detailed reports on follow-up actions.

Q: Tell us the state of sponsorship in Rugby.

A: Normally, all our tournaments are funded by us. We have sponsors like Capgemini and DHL, who fund Indian Rugby. We’ve had some government states supporting us in the past.

Chennai Bull's Vaafauese Apelu Maliko in action in the first season of Indian Rugby Premier League (RPL) final against Delhi Redz.

Chennai Bull’s Vaafauese Apelu Maliko in action in the first season of Indian Rugby Premier League (RPL) final against Delhi Redz. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

lightbox-info

Chennai Bull’s Vaafauese Apelu Maliko in action in the first season of Indian Rugby Premier League (RPL) final against Delhi Redz. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

We get money from the Central Government, World Rugby, and small amounts from the Capri Group and Jamuna Auto. So, we raise the money and spend it on national tournaments.

Q: What are the major changes you’re looking at from the Indian players’ perspective?

A: This is the Federation’s responsibility. It has to raise more money, work harder and build a 365-day-a-year ecosystem around our players. Right now, we can only afford to do it maybe 100 days a year.

We would like to build an ecosystem around our 30-40 best players from each team – Under-18 boys, under-18 girls, under-20 boys, under-20 girls, men and women.

Q: What are you looking for after the Rugby Premier League?

A: I think a real mark of success will be when the six franchises begin to do more work in developing an interest and creating infrastructure in the cities. We don’t have a (major) presence in the cities as a sport. So in these big six cities, we will start to have what we have never had before.

Published on May 02, 2026

#Rahul #Bose #bats #Rugby #Revolution #RPL #Womens #League #Olympic #ambitions #horizon

Sports news , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Film star-turned sports administrator Rahul Bose wears many hats, from being an award-winning actor to now, being the President of Rugby India.

Before the second edition of the Rugby Premier League (RPL), planned in Hyderabad next month, the 58-year-old discusses the present state of Rugby in India and the future of the sport, in an exclusive chat with Sportstar.

Q: How do you look at the second edition of the league? How different will it be from the first?

A: Yes, we were always wanting to have an RPL Women last year also. But because there was so much to look at, which was new to us, we decided to stay with RPL Men. But this year, the franchises have been very, very forthcoming.

We have dug into our pockets, and we have made sure that we have created the financial as well as operational space to run a women’s league at the same time as the men’s. So in effect, the same two weeks that we had last year, when the men’s league was running, the women’s league will run at the same time. Instead of two games a day, we’ll have four, sometimes five games a day.

It will build for a longer, more interesting evening for people who are coming to the stadium as well as those who are viewing it online. That’s one big difference. The second big difference is that our partners — Jio Hotstar and Star Sports have now partnered to have it on YouTube and TV.

ALSO READ: RPL 2026 — Second season of Rugby Premier League to be played in Hyderabad in June

We were always certain that the venue would move from city to city. From Mumbai, it has come to Hyderabad and will move to other venues in future.

Q: How do you see Hyderabad as a venue?

A: It’s a city where the scale of the stadium is bigger than what we had in Mumbai. So we are very much looking forward to having experiences for fans and things in the stadium, along with the fact that it’s a longer evening. So we are very clear that we are setting our sights on creating not one but two world-class products.

The second season of Rugby Premier League will take place at the Gachibowli Stadium, which has also hosted football matches in the past.
| Photo Credit:
Nagara Gopal

lightbox-info

The second season of Rugby Premier League will take place at the Gachibowli Stadium, which has also hosted football matches in the past.
| Photo Credit:
Nagara Gopal

Q: What are the major challenges involved in getting franchises for the Women’s League?

A: I think almost everybody was ideologically very, very certain that they wanted to be part of it. But the economics had to work. And we are a league where we run a very tight ship. We are very, very collaborative and fair with our franchise owners.

At the same time, we cannot expect, should I say, generosity that’s unreasonable. So everybody was ideologically in line with us. So, what we did was we made a lot of attractive benefits for franchises, more attractive than they were last year, so that they would come to the women’s game this year. Thankfully, our franchises understood that.

We didn’t want to go for six or eight franchises because of the operational difficulties. So four is very solid, and we’ll have 48 players, 24 foreigners, 24 Indians. And yet, it will be operationally manageable.

Q: How is the pace of the sport across India?

A: India has 760 districts. Rugby is in 322 districts. 40 per cent of India plays rugby. So our grassroots are strong. For the last five years, we’ve had 320 districts. We had the option to either spread the districts or to deepen the involvement of the players in those districts. We’ve chosen the latter. We’ve chosen to deepen involvement in the 322 districts. We want those players to stay with the game.

Q: Any major initiatives to take the sport to the next level?

A: We are not taking it to more unexplored regions. We are (already) in 322 districts, which is a lot. It’s a captive population of 650 million people. But in terms of initiatives, we’ve had the Asmita Women’s League.

Players in action during an ASMITA Rugby State League Jammu and Kashmir at the Multipurpose Indoor Sports Stadium.

Players in action during an ASMITA Rugby State League Jammu and Kashmir at the Multipurpose Indoor Sports Stadium.
| Photo Credit:
Imran Nissar

lightbox-info

Players in action during an ASMITA Rugby State League Jammu and Kashmir at the Multipurpose Indoor Sports Stadium.
| Photo Credit:
Imran Nissar

The Government of India has given us solid support, and between 30 and 50 cities across India have had a women’s rugby league last year. We have over 30 national tournaments that happen.

I would say that this is probably the most played, least known game in India.

Q: What are the realistic goals?

A: One is to make sure that something like the RPL happens, which brings rugby to the eyes of people through mass media. The second is for our (national) teams to do well. The moment our teams begin to win, it will automatically begin to become popular.

So for the teams to do well, you have to put a lot of money into high performance. Right now, our women are sixth in Asia out of 36 nations.

Rahul Bose feels the Indian women’s national team has a quicker chance to make it to the Olympics because of its higher ranking in Asia.

Rahul Bose feels the Indian women’s national team has a quicker chance to make it to the Olympics because of its higher ranking in Asia.
| Photo Credit:
Nissar Ahmad

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Rahul Bose feels the Indian women’s national team has a quicker chance to make it to the Olympics because of its higher ranking in Asia.
| Photo Credit:
Nissar Ahmad

For perspective, if you get to the top two, you make the Olympics. We are hopeful of making the Olympics in 2032. And we will be the first team sport, after hockey, in 90 years to get to the Olympics.

Of course, cricket is in the Olympics, but it’s a very small pool. But, making it to the Olympics in rugby out of over 100, to be one of the 14-15 nations will be very prestigious. Our men’s team, 12th in Asia, has to wait for one more cycle to get there.

Q: A roadmap for the sport?

A: We’ve had the road map in place for five years, month by month. In fact, when we submitted the road map to the government or the Ministry of Sports, they said they had never seen anything like it in their lives.

We submitted this in 2020 on what was planned up to 2030. We’ll be following that. We are slightly ahead in some things, and we’re slightly behind in others. Anyone can track us month by month.

Students in a training session at Universal Engineering College at Vallivattom, in Thrissur, Kerala.

Students in a training session at Universal Engineering College at Vallivattom, in Thrissur, Kerala.
| Photo Credit:
K.K. Najeeb

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Students in a training session at Universal Engineering College at Vallivattom, in Thrissur, Kerala.
| Photo Credit:
K.K. Najeeb

The Government has always asked for accountability, and we never shy away from being transparent and accountable. In fact, we were awarded the best Federation in the country by the FICCI last year because of our transparency, our ethics and our processes.

Q: On areas of focus?

A: It’s not in the big cities but in the districts, a cluster of schools, PETs (Physical Education Teachers) through our State Associations that are doing very good work. So we don’t go to one school.

ALSO READ: Rugby Premier League Season 2 squads finalised; women’s league set for historic debut

You cannot think of this as a metro sport but as a hinterland sport instead. Most of our players come from the bottom of the social pyramid. We don’t do a caste census. But socio-economically, they are the poorest of the poor.

Q: How are the players supported in the Rubgy ecosystem?

A: We are one of the few federations that give a yearly purse to every state to spend on development, for national tournaments, on jerseys, on transport and on food. That is what they spend in their districts, and all the State Associations have to submit detailed reports on follow-up actions.

Q: Tell us the state of sponsorship in Rugby.

A: Normally, all our tournaments are funded by us. We have sponsors like Capgemini and DHL, who fund Indian Rugby. We’ve had some government states supporting us in the past.

Chennai Bull's Vaafauese Apelu Maliko in action in the first season of Indian Rugby Premier League (RPL) final against Delhi Redz.

Chennai Bull’s Vaafauese Apelu Maliko in action in the first season of Indian Rugby Premier League (RPL) final against Delhi Redz.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images

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Chennai Bull’s Vaafauese Apelu Maliko in action in the first season of Indian Rugby Premier League (RPL) final against Delhi Redz.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images

We get money from the Central Government, World Rugby, and small amounts from the Capri Group and Jamuna Auto. So, we raise the money and spend it on national tournaments.

Q: What are the major changes you’re looking at from the Indian players’ perspective?

A: This is the Federation’s responsibility. It has to raise more money, work harder and build a 365-day-a-year ecosystem around our players. Right now, we can only afford to do it maybe 100 days a year.

We would like to build an ecosystem around our 30-40 best players from each team – Under-18 boys, under-18 girls, under-20 boys, under-20 girls, men and women.

Q: What are you looking for after the Rugby Premier League?

A: I think a real mark of success will be when the six franchises begin to do more work in developing an interest and creating infrastructure in the cities. We don’t have a (major) presence in the cities as a sport. So in these big six cities, we will start to have what we have never had before.

Published on May 02, 2026

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Deadspin | Cubs stay hot, edge Diamondbacks in series opener <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28854922.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28854922.jpg" alt="MLB: Arizona Diamondbacks at Chicago Cubs" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">May 1, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) high fives the fans after scoring against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Michael Busch had two hits, including a two-run single, and the Chicago Cubs used two three-run innings to hold off the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks 6-5 on Friday in the first game of a weekend series.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Busch triggered a three-run first with a bases-loaded single, then the Cubs added three more in the fourth off Diamondbacks starter off Zac Gallen (1-2) for their third win in four games and ninth straight home win.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Cubs starter Colin Rea (4-1) gave up two runs on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings. He fanned six with no walks. Jacob Webb pitched the final two innings for his first save, the sixth Cub reliever to record a save this season.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Diamondbacks second baseman Ildemaro Vargas had a career-high four hits to raise his batting average to a major league-leading .404. Geraldo Perdomo cracked a three-run homer to cap a four-run sixth and pull the D-backs within 6-5, but they managed just one baserunner over the final three innings.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Vargas singled in the first to extend his season-opening hitting streak to 24 games. His 27-game streak dating to last September ranks as the longest in the majors since Trea Turner’s 27-game run in 2022.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Per Elias, Vargas’ season-opening streak stands as the longest in the majors since the Detroit Tigers’ Ron LeFlore hit in 30 straight in 1976. His 27-game streak ranks second in Arizona history behind Luis Gonzalez (30, 1999).</p> </section><br/><section id="section-7"> <p>Carson Kelly had two hits for the Cubs and Alex Bergman and Dansby Swanson had RBI hits in the three-run fourth that pushed their lead to 6-1.</p> </section> <section id="section-8"> <p>Jorge Barrosa had two doubles — one a bunt that kicked off the third base bag into left field — and scored twice for Arizona. Perdomo also had two hits for the D-backs, who have lost seven of 10.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Gallen gave up six runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings, with three strikeouts and three walks.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Nico Hoerner doubled to open the three-run first and Gallen walked to load the bases. Busch hit a two-run single, then the third run scored when Kelly’s catchable pop to center fell safely.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Vargas singled in a run in the third before the Cubs knocked out Gallen in the fourth. The D-backs got within 6-5 with a four-run sixth, all scoring after Rea was replaced by Ryan Rolison with one out and one on.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Pinch-hitter Tim Tawa walked and Barrosa pushed a hard bunt down the third base line. When Bregman let it roll, the ball hit the bag and kicked into short left. Perdomo followed with a three-run homer.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Hoerner was replaced by pinch-hitter Matt Shaw in the second inning. Hoerner was removed with a neck strain, the Cubs said.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-14"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Cubs #stay #hot #edge #Diamondbacks #series #opener

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Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez announced his retirement from international football after his side was knocked out of the FIFA World Cup 2026 by Switzerland.

Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye were on target for Switzerland as it outplayed Algeria 2-0 in their Round of 32 clash in Vancouver on Thursday.

Mahrez, who currently plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, ended his international career with 113 caps and 39 goals.

ALSO READ | Switzerland outplays Algeria to book Round of 16 spot

Born in Clichy, France, Mahrez chose to represent Algeria in 2013, qualifying through his Algerian heritage on both sides of his family.

He was named African Footballer of the Year in 2016 and, three years later, captained Algeria to the Africa Cup of Nations title.

At the 2026 World Cup, Mahrez scored twice for Algeria in its group-stage match against Austria, adding a final chapter to an international career that spanned more than a decade.

Published on Jul 03, 2026

#Riyad #Mahrez #announces #international #retirement #Algerias #FIFA #World #Cup #exit">Riyad Mahrez announces international retirement after Algeria’s FIFA World Cup 2026 exit Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez announced his retirement from international football after his side was knocked out of the FIFA World Cup 2026 by Switzerland.Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye were on target for Switzerland as it outplayed Algeria 2-0 in their Round of 32 clash in Vancouver on Thursday.Mahrez, who currently plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, ended his international career with 113 caps and 39 goals.ALSO READ | Switzerland outplays Algeria to book Round of 16 spotBorn in Clichy, France, Mahrez chose to represent Algeria in 2013, qualifying through his Algerian heritage on both sides of his family.He was named African Footballer of the Year in 2016 and, three years later, captained Algeria to the Africa Cup of Nations title.At the 2026 World Cup, Mahrez scored twice for Algeria in its group-stage match against Austria, adding a final chapter to an international career that spanned more than a decade.Published on Jul 03, 2026 #Riyad #Mahrez #announces #international #retirement #Algerias #FIFA #World #Cup #exit

Switzerland outplays Algeria to book Round of 16 spot

Born in Clichy, France, Mahrez chose to represent Algeria in 2013, qualifying through his Algerian heritage on both sides of his family.

He was named African Footballer of the Year in 2016 and, three years later, captained Algeria to the Africa Cup of Nations title.

At the 2026 World Cup, Mahrez scored twice for Algeria in its group-stage match against Austria, adding a final chapter to an international career that spanned more than a decade.

Published on Jul 03, 2026

#Riyad #Mahrez #announces #international #retirement #Algerias #FIFA #World #Cup #exit">Riyad Mahrez announces international retirement after Algeria’s FIFA World Cup 2026 exit

Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez announced his retirement from international football after his side was knocked out of the FIFA World Cup 2026 by Switzerland.

Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye were on target for Switzerland as it outplayed Algeria 2-0 in their Round of 32 clash in Vancouver on Thursday.

Mahrez, who currently plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, ended his international career with 113 caps and 39 goals.

ALSO READ | Switzerland outplays Algeria to book Round of 16 spot

Born in Clichy, France, Mahrez chose to represent Algeria in 2013, qualifying through his Algerian heritage on both sides of his family.

He was named African Footballer of the Year in 2016 and, three years later, captained Algeria to the Africa Cup of Nations title.

At the 2026 World Cup, Mahrez scored twice for Algeria in its group-stage match against Austria, adding a final chapter to an international career that spanned more than a decade.

Published on Jul 03, 2026

#Riyad #Mahrez #announces #international #retirement #Algerias #FIFA #World #Cup #exit
Deadspin | Stewart Cink, Charlie Wi share first-round lead at U.S. Senior Open Stewart Cink walks across the eighth green during the first round of the U.S. Senior Open at Scioto Country Club in Columbus on July 2, 2026. Stewart Cink put himself in contention to win a third straight major, as he shares the lead after the first round of the U.S. Senior Open Championship on Thursday in Upper Arlington, Ohio. Cink and co-leader Charlie Wi of South Korea each shot 3-under-par 67 at Scioto Country Club to sit atop a tightly bunched leaderboard. Wi got a boost from a five-birdie streak, while Cink shot 5-under 30 on the back nine after carding two bogeys among his first nine holes. George McNeill, England’s Simon Griffiths and Sweden’s Freddie Jacobson are a stroke back as 15 players broke par. Defending champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland is among 10 golfers tied for sixth at 1-under 69. The others are Ben Crane, Tommy Gainey, Paul Stankowski, Wales’ Jamie Donaldson, Australia’s Richard Green and Greg Chalmers, Germany’s Alex Cejka, Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen and Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez. Cink opened with a bogey at the par-4 first hole and had another blemish with a bogey at No. 5 to make the turn at 2 over. He heated up on the back nine, with birdies at Nos. 10, 13, 14, 16 and 18 for a 30 and a 67 total. “I don’t think I found anything,” Cink said of any adjustments when making the turn. “I just decided to start trusting what I’d already been in possession of. I’ve been off for a little while, and I started like I’ve been off for a little while. Middle of the fairway on 1, and I inexplicably lost my trust in the downswing and flared it out to the right in the bunker. “I had to prove it to myself again that I could play decent golf a certain way. The back nine was really nice. I actually could have shot quite a bit lower on the back nine. I missed three very reasonably like inside — right around 10 feet or less birdie putts.” Cink leads the Charles Schwab Cup standings after earning four wins in nine events. He captured the first two majors of the year, the Senior PGA Championship in April and the Regions Tradition in May. He also won the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai in January and the Hoag Classic in March. Wi, whose best result this year is a tie for third at the Insperity Invitational in May, has three top-10 finishes in 2026 as he pursues his first win on tour. He is 31st in the Charles Schwab Cup standings. “I hit the ball pretty solid today, made a couple of putts,” Wi said. “It was a hot day. I just made sure that I stayed in the ballgame, meaning like mentally, because you could easily lose it out there. Yeah, overall it was just a solid day in the first round.” Starting his round on the back nine, Wi carded birdies at par-4 holes Nos. 10 and 13 before a bogey at No. 18. He also bogeyed No. 1 before stringing together five consecutive birdies at Nos. 3-7 to get to 5 under. “Today I was like, wait, did I just run off four in a row? On the fifth one I was thinking about it, come on, get it out of your brain, and I was able to make it,” said Wi, who had a five-birdie streak at the Regions Tradition. However, disaster struck at No. 8. Wi had to take a penalty and drop on his third shot at the 496-yard par-4, which ranked the hardest hole of the round. Wi got to the green on his fourth shot and finished with a double bogey. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Stewart #Cink #Charlie #share #firstround #lead #U.S #Senior #OpenStewart Cink walks across the eighth green during the first round of the U.S. Senior Open at Scioto Country Club in Columbus on July 2, 2026.

Stewart Cink put himself in contention to win a third straight major, as he shares the lead after the first round of the U.S. Senior Open Championship on Thursday in Upper Arlington, Ohio.

Cink and co-leader Charlie Wi of South Korea each shot 3-under-par 67 at Scioto Country Club to sit atop a tightly bunched leaderboard. Wi got a boost from a five-birdie streak, while Cink shot 5-under 30 on the back nine after carding two bogeys among his first nine holes.

George McNeill, England’s Simon Griffiths and Sweden’s Freddie Jacobson are a stroke back as 15 players broke par.

Defending champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland is among 10 golfers tied for sixth at 1-under 69.

The others are Ben Crane, Tommy Gainey, Paul Stankowski, Wales’ Jamie Donaldson, Australia’s Richard Green and Greg Chalmers, Germany’s Alex Cejka, Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen and Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez.

Cink opened with a bogey at the par-4 first hole and had another blemish with a bogey at No. 5 to make the turn at 2 over. He heated up on the back nine, with birdies at Nos. 10, 13, 14, 16 and 18 for a 30 and a 67 total.

“I don’t think I found anything,” Cink said of any adjustments when making the turn. “I just decided to start trusting what I’d already been in possession of. I’ve been off for a little while, and I started like I’ve been off for a little while. Middle of the fairway on 1, and I inexplicably lost my trust in the downswing and flared it out to the right in the bunker.


“I had to prove it to myself again that I could play decent golf a certain way. The back nine was really nice. I actually could have shot quite a bit lower on the back nine. I missed three very reasonably like inside — right around 10 feet or less birdie putts.”

Cink leads the Charles Schwab Cup standings after earning four wins in nine events. He captured the first two majors of the year, the Senior PGA Championship in April and the Regions Tradition in May. He also won the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai in January and the Hoag Classic in March.

Wi, whose best result this year is a tie for third at the Insperity Invitational in May, has three top-10 finishes in 2026 as he pursues his first win on tour. He is 31st in the Charles Schwab Cup standings.

“I hit the ball pretty solid today, made a couple of putts,” Wi said. “It was a hot day. I just made sure that I stayed in the ballgame, meaning like mentally, because you could easily lose it out there. Yeah, overall it was just a solid day in the first round.”

Starting his round on the back nine, Wi carded birdies at par-4 holes Nos. 10 and 13 before a bogey at No. 18. He also bogeyed No. 1 before stringing together five consecutive birdies at Nos. 3-7 to get to 5 under.

“Today I was like, wait, did I just run off four in a row? On the fifth one I was thinking about it, come on, get it out of your brain, and I was able to make it,” said Wi, who had a five-birdie streak at the Regions Tradition.

However, disaster struck at No. 8. Wi had to take a penalty and drop on his third shot at the 496-yard par-4, which ranked the hardest hole of the round. Wi got to the green on his fourth shot and finished with a double bogey.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Stewart #Cink #Charlie #share #firstround #lead #U.S #Senior #Open">Deadspin | Stewart Cink, Charlie Wi share first-round lead at U.S. Senior Open Stewart Cink walks across the eighth green during the first round of the U.S. Senior Open at Scioto Country Club in Columbus on July 2, 2026. Stewart Cink put himself in contention to win a third straight major, as he shares the lead after the first round of the U.S. Senior Open Championship on Thursday in Upper Arlington, Ohio. Cink and co-leader Charlie Wi of South Korea each shot 3-under-par 67 at Scioto Country Club to sit atop a tightly bunched leaderboard. Wi got a boost from a five-birdie streak, while Cink shot 5-under 30 on the back nine after carding two bogeys among his first nine holes. George McNeill, England’s Simon Griffiths and Sweden’s Freddie Jacobson are a stroke back as 15 players broke par. Defending champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland is among 10 golfers tied for sixth at 1-under 69. The others are Ben Crane, Tommy Gainey, Paul Stankowski, Wales’ Jamie Donaldson, Australia’s Richard Green and Greg Chalmers, Germany’s Alex Cejka, Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen and Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez. Cink opened with a bogey at the par-4 first hole and had another blemish with a bogey at No. 5 to make the turn at 2 over. He heated up on the back nine, with birdies at Nos. 10, 13, 14, 16 and 18 for a 30 and a 67 total. “I don’t think I found anything,” Cink said of any adjustments when making the turn. “I just decided to start trusting what I’d already been in possession of. I’ve been off for a little while, and I started like I’ve been off for a little while. Middle of the fairway on 1, and I inexplicably lost my trust in the downswing and flared it out to the right in the bunker. “I had to prove it to myself again that I could play decent golf a certain way. The back nine was really nice. I actually could have shot quite a bit lower on the back nine. I missed three very reasonably like inside — right around 10 feet or less birdie putts.” Cink leads the Charles Schwab Cup standings after earning four wins in nine events. He captured the first two majors of the year, the Senior PGA Championship in April and the Regions Tradition in May. He also won the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai in January and the Hoag Classic in March. Wi, whose best result this year is a tie for third at the Insperity Invitational in May, has three top-10 finishes in 2026 as he pursues his first win on tour. He is 31st in the Charles Schwab Cup standings. “I hit the ball pretty solid today, made a couple of putts,” Wi said. “It was a hot day. I just made sure that I stayed in the ballgame, meaning like mentally, because you could easily lose it out there. Yeah, overall it was just a solid day in the first round.” Starting his round on the back nine, Wi carded birdies at par-4 holes Nos. 10 and 13 before a bogey at No. 18. He also bogeyed No. 1 before stringing together five consecutive birdies at Nos. 3-7 to get to 5 under. “Today I was like, wait, did I just run off four in a row? On the fifth one I was thinking about it, come on, get it out of your brain, and I was able to make it,” said Wi, who had a five-birdie streak at the Regions Tradition. However, disaster struck at No. 8. Wi had to take a penalty and drop on his third shot at the 496-yard par-4, which ranked the hardest hole of the round. Wi got to the green on his fourth shot and finished with a double bogey. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Stewart #Cink #Charlie #share #firstround #lead #U.S #Senior #Open

This might sound extremely confusing at first glance, so let’s break down how this would work. During the passage of a normal game (i.e. not in the final two minutes or overtime) all free-throw opportunities would be condensed into one shot, awarding points equal to the number of shots previously attempted in the past. So, a basic foul on a missed shot attempt would reward one free throw worth two points. If a player was driving, getting the bucket and the foul (the And-1), then it would result in one shot worth one point. If a player was fouled in the act of attempting a three, then they would receive one shot worth three points.

It’s that final element which is most fascinating, because it creates a significant advantage for elite shooters from beyond the arc who are also fantastic free-throw shooters. For example, the rule effectively does nothing to someone like Steph Curry, who shot 39.3% from three and 92.3% from the free-throw line last season, but it could have a big effect on someone like Anthony Edwards, who shot 39.9% from three and 79.6% on free throws.

While it’s certainly unlikely that we’re going to see some mammoth shift in fouling because of this, having an all-or-nothing approach to free throws is fascinating, because it will add significant pressure on players who already aren’t the best shooters from the charity stripe.

This isn’t the only change being proposed to NBA rules, because the other comes from innovations to the basketball itself.

Adding more technology here isn’t a bad thing and should eliminate some bad calls in the process. It seems like a win-win, so long as the technology works.

#NBA #test #free #throw #rule #WILD">NBA to test new free throw rule, and it’s WILD The NBA is looking to speed up the flow of the game, and is tentatively planning to take a page out of the NBA G-League’s book to make it happen. The NBA made an announcement on Thursday that it would test out the “one free throw rule” during the 2026 Summer League, gauging whether or not it should become a staple of the NBA.This might sound extremely confusing at first glance, so let’s break down how this would work. During the passage of a normal game (i.e. not in the final two minutes or overtime) all free-throw opportunities would be condensed into one shot, awarding points equal to the number of shots previously attempted in the past. So, a basic foul on a missed shot attempt would reward one free throw worth two points. If a player was driving, getting the bucket and the foul (the And-1), then it would result in one shot worth one point. If a player was fouled in the act of attempting a three, then they would receive one shot worth three points.It’s that final element which is most fascinating, because it creates a significant advantage for elite shooters from beyond the arc who are also fantastic free-throw shooters. For example, the rule effectively does nothing to someone like Steph Curry, who shot 39.3% from three and 92.3% from the free-throw line last season, but it could have a big effect on someone like Anthony Edwards, who shot 39.9% from three and 79.6% on free throws.While it’s certainly unlikely that we’re going to see some mammoth shift in fouling because of this, having an all-or-nothing approach to free throws is fascinating, because it will add significant pressure on players who already aren’t the best shooters from the charity stripe.This isn’t the only change being proposed to NBA rules, because the other comes from innovations to the basketball itself.Adding more technology here isn’t a bad thing and should eliminate some bad calls in the process. It seems like a win-win, so long as the technology works. #NBA #test #free #throw #rule #WILD

The NBA made an announcement on Thursday that it would test out the “one free throw rule” during the 2026 Summer League, gauging whether or not it should become a staple of the NBA.

This might sound extremely confusing at first glance, so let’s break down how this would work. During the passage of a normal game (i.e. not in the final two minutes or overtime) all free-throw opportunities would be condensed into one shot, awarding points equal to the number of shots previously attempted in the past. So, a basic foul on a missed shot attempt would reward one free throw worth two points. If a player was driving, getting the bucket and the foul (the And-1), then it would result in one shot worth one point. If a player was fouled in the act of attempting a three, then they would receive one shot worth three points.

It’s that final element which is most fascinating, because it creates a significant advantage for elite shooters from beyond the arc who are also fantastic free-throw shooters. For example, the rule effectively does nothing to someone like Steph Curry, who shot 39.3% from three and 92.3% from the free-throw line last season, but it could have a big effect on someone like Anthony Edwards, who shot 39.9% from three and 79.6% on free throws.

While it’s certainly unlikely that we’re going to see some mammoth shift in fouling because of this, having an all-or-nothing approach to free throws is fascinating, because it will add significant pressure on players who already aren’t the best shooters from the charity stripe.

This isn’t the only change being proposed to NBA rules, because the other comes from innovations to the basketball itself.

Adding more technology here isn’t a bad thing and should eliminate some bad calls in the process. It seems like a win-win, so long as the technology works.

#NBA #test #free #throw #rule #WILD">NBA to test new free throw rule, and it’s WILD

The NBA is looking to speed up the flow of the game, and is tentatively planning to take a page out of the NBA G-League’s book to make it happen. The NBA made an announcement on Thursday that it would test out the “one free throw rule” during the 2026 Summer League, gauging whether or not it should become a staple of the NBA.

This might sound extremely confusing at first glance, so let’s break down how this would work. During the passage of a normal game (i.e. not in the final two minutes or overtime) all free-throw opportunities would be condensed into one shot, awarding points equal to the number of shots previously attempted in the past. So, a basic foul on a missed shot attempt would reward one free throw worth two points. If a player was driving, getting the bucket and the foul (the And-1), then it would result in one shot worth one point. If a player was fouled in the act of attempting a three, then they would receive one shot worth three points.

It’s that final element which is most fascinating, because it creates a significant advantage for elite shooters from beyond the arc who are also fantastic free-throw shooters. For example, the rule effectively does nothing to someone like Steph Curry, who shot 39.3% from three and 92.3% from the free-throw line last season, but it could have a big effect on someone like Anthony Edwards, who shot 39.9% from three and 79.6% on free throws.

While it’s certainly unlikely that we’re going to see some mammoth shift in fouling because of this, having an all-or-nothing approach to free throws is fascinating, because it will add significant pressure on players who already aren’t the best shooters from the charity stripe.

This isn’t the only change being proposed to NBA rules, because the other comes from innovations to the basketball itself.

Adding more technology here isn’t a bad thing and should eliminate some bad calls in the process. It seems like a win-win, so long as the technology works.

#NBA #test #free #throw #rule #WILD

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