Khelo Rugby of India has won the Rhino Grassroots Rugby Award for 2019.
A charity that promotes rugby across India in impoverished communities saw off fierce competition from three incredible causes in Friends of Rwandan Rugby, Visually Impaired Rugby by The Change Foundation and Grass Roots Rugby Japan 2019.
"Fantastic to be recognised by Rhino for our Khelo Rugby project," says founder Paul Walsh. "We've thousands of children playing each week and it's great fun to be a part of it. The motivation is seeing those rugby smiles. "Although Khelo has rugby as its catalyst and is what we're passionate about, our effort goes double into developing opportunities for our young players. Growing up with rugby!"
Reg Clark, CEO of Rhino, said: "Khelo Rugby is an inspirational organisation that has made a huge difference to rugby an India, setting an example to other developing nations about how to grow the game in a way that has a real impact on society."
Grass Roots Rugby Japan 2019 was specially commended for their role in providing visitors to RWC2019 with opportunities to meet local fans and players in social tournaments and events.
Khelo Rugby become the fifth winners of the Rhino Grassroots Rugby Award.
Main picture: Paul Walsh, together with Shuraj Sharma, receives Rhino Trophy from Reg Clark at iconic rugby pub, The Sun Inn in Richmond.
Previous winners of the Rhino Grassroots Rugby Award
2015 TAG RUGBY TRUST (UK)
2016 KAMPUCHEA BALOPP (Cambodia)
2017 SKRUM (Swaziland)
2018 SHIBUYA INTERNATIONAL RUGBY CLUB (Japan)
2019 KHELO RUGBY (India)
