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Kolkata Newsline, India
May 28 2005
Armenian rugby players a vanishing breed
Shamik Bag
Kolkata, May 27: DURING the '96-'97 rugby season in Kolkata, the
Armenian team, besides Armenians, also comprised Bengalis, Punjabis
and Chinese. That it went on to win the prestigious All India and
Southeast Asia Cup both years was reflective of the bonding in the
team and the society.
Today, the ball has stopped coming their way.
The club which, since 1890, has given the national team players like
Emil Vartazarian, Vahik Hovik, Avo Tevanian and N Madathian - hasn't
had enough players to form a team for the last four years.
In the decline of the game is rooted the story of the city - its fall
from grace as a destination for a community that has traditionally
taken the trading route from Iran and Armenia. Even a few decades
ago, the city was home to a few thousand Armenians.
``Now, no more than 500 members of the community are here,'' says
Henrik Terchonian, who came to Kolkata in 1987 and debuted for India
nine years later.
Says Arsham Sookias, who played rugby in Kolkata for 33 years
starting in 1947: ``During the Raj, Armenians used to work in
Armenian properties like Queens' Mansion, Park Mansion and in the
jute and shellac industries. But getting a work permit is very
difficult these days. Most have migrated to Australia and the
Americas. Besides, the school system in Iran has improved and the
attraction of studying in Kolkata has diminished.''
The state of the sport in India has contributed equally to the
decrease of Armenians, particularly rugby players, in the city.
``Rugby, unlike cricket, provides few opportunities in India. Many of
the players have migrated,'' says Henrik.
Still, there is an attempt to revive the game in the Armenian College
on Free School Street.
Under Henrik, a batch of youngsters are being groomed, with an eye on
the Calcutta Cup, Centenary Cup and the All India and Southeast Asia
Cup.
``They are doing well. By the time of Commonwealth Games in Delhi,
they should be ready,'' says Henrik.
Without the Armenians, the standard of rugby has suffered, says David
Yah, former manager of the Indian rugby team and present coach of the
CCFC team.
``They were the torchbearers of rugby in India and now without their
enthusiasm and exuberance, everybody is feeling the pinch,'' says
Verghese Kunjachan, coach of the police team.
May 28 2005
Armenian rugby players a vanishing breed
Shamik Bag
Kolkata, May 27: DURING the '96-'97 rugby season in Kolkata, the
Armenian team, besides Armenians, also comprised Bengalis, Punjabis
and Chinese. That it went on to win the prestigious All India and
Southeast Asia Cup both years was reflective of the bonding in the
team and the society.
Today, the ball has stopped coming their way.
The club which, since 1890, has given the national team players like
Emil Vartazarian, Vahik Hovik, Avo Tevanian and N Madathian - hasn't
had enough players to form a team for the last four years.
In the decline of the game is rooted the story of the city - its fall
from grace as a destination for a community that has traditionally
taken the trading route from Iran and Armenia. Even a few decades
ago, the city was home to a few thousand Armenians.
``Now, no more than 500 members of the community are here,'' says
Henrik Terchonian, who came to Kolkata in 1987 and debuted for India
nine years later.
Says Arsham Sookias, who played rugby in Kolkata for 33 years
starting in 1947: ``During the Raj, Armenians used to work in
Armenian properties like Queens' Mansion, Park Mansion and in the
jute and shellac industries. But getting a work permit is very
difficult these days. Most have migrated to Australia and the
Americas. Besides, the school system in Iran has improved and the
attraction of studying in Kolkata has diminished.''
The state of the sport in India has contributed equally to the
decrease of Armenians, particularly rugby players, in the city.
``Rugby, unlike cricket, provides few opportunities in India. Many of
the players have migrated,'' says Henrik.
Still, there is an attempt to revive the game in the Armenian College
on Free School Street.
Under Henrik, a batch of youngsters are being groomed, with an eye on
the Calcutta Cup, Centenary Cup and the All India and Southeast Asia
Cup.
``They are doing well. By the time of Commonwealth Games in Delhi,
they should be ready,'' says Henrik.
Without the Armenians, the standard of rugby has suffered, says David
Yah, former manager of the Indian rugby team and present coach of the
CCFC team.
``They were the torchbearers of rugby in India and now without their
enthusiasm and exuberance, everybody is feeling the pinch,'' says
Verghese Kunjachan, coach of the police team.