A 16-year-old rugby player from Bihar's Jehanabad district has given the region a reason to celebrate at the national level. Rohit Kumar played a key role in helping the Bihar team lift the trophy at a national rugby football tournament held in Hyderabad. Rohit's home is located about 13 kilometres from the district headquarters, but the distance never stood in the way of his ambitions.
A big contest in Hyderabad
The national rugby football competition in Hyderabad saw 27 teams from across the country take part. Bihar's players put up a strong show throughout the tournament and made it all the way to the final. In the final, Bihar's team faced Maharashtra and defeated them to win the trophy. A 12-member squad had been selected to represent Bihar, and Rohit was part of that full squad. Among the 7 players who took the field in the final and sealed the title, Rohit was one of them.
From a kabaddi ground to rugby
Rohit Kumar, who lives in Shakurabad Bazar, earned his place in the Under-18 national rugby football tournament on the strength of his performance. He had entered the world of sport about 4 years ago, though his early interest was actually in kabaddi. Back then, he had no idea that playing a sport could take someone all the way to the national level. The turning point came at the very ground where he practised kabaddi, where a coach used to train other children in rugby. Rohit crossed paths with that coach, who told him that since he had both the right ability and the energy, he should take up rugby instead.
Failure first, then success
That single piece of advice changed the direction of Rohit's entire sporting journey. He started training in rugby and began putting in hours of practice on the ground every morning and evening. About 2 years later, he appeared for a rugby trial, but did not succeed. He did not give up. This year, after working hard for the Hyderabad tournament, he tried again and this time he made the cut. That success earned him a spot in the Under-18 national rugby football tournament, marking a fresh start to his career. Rohit did not just make the squad, he played every single match of the tournament.
Sweating it out on the field since the age of 10
Speaking about his achievement, Rohit Kumar said, "I have had a love for sport from the very beginning. That is why I have been going to the ground and working hard since the age of 10." He said that because of his deep interest in sport, he had less time to devote to studies, which sometimes meant getting scolded at home. Despite that, he kept working continuously to sharpen his talent. Once his elder brother learned about the effort he was putting in, he too began supporting him. It was around this time that Rohit achieved this milestone. When he returned home after the win, everyone showered him with praise, and now his entire family has come forward to support him. Rohit added that his next goal is to play at the international level.
Coach says Rohit has what it takes to go global
Rohit's coach, Vikas Kumar, said, "Rohit is a promising player. If he is worked on properly, he can take the district's name to the international level." He added that every effort is being made to give Rohit a bigger platform so that his talent can be polished further. Rohit's rise from a small district like Jehanabad to national recognition has now become an example for other children in the district who are chasing their own dreams on the sports field.
