New Delhi:
The massive interest generated by the crunch pool games involving "All Black" New Zealand, South Africa and Australia have resulted in tickets being sold out at all the venues as Rugby fever grips the host city ahead of the Commonwealth Games Rugby Sevens event due to kick-off on Monday.
The biggest-ever gathering of the world's top-10 international sides led to Delhiites planning their break around rugby and buying tickets well in advance.
The newly-built 10,000 capacity Rugby stadium near the Delhi University's vice-chancellor office will witness world's leading Sevens nation engaging in battle for supremacy in front of full house.
The rugby competition to be held on October 11 and 12 will see world number one New Zealand looking for their fourth Commonwealth Games gold medal on the trot, along side England, Australia and South Africa.
Even as some of the disciplines in the Commonwealth Games are being staged in front of near-empty stands, Rugby is not going to lose out on this front.
"We were expecting a lot of people to come in and watch as all the top teams are playing in CWG Rugby Sevens, but the event being sold out is terrific news," Indian skipper Nasser Hussain said.
"This is the best rugby action that will be on display in the history of Rugby in India. For all the people who couldn't get tickets, do watch it on Doordarshan. With top teams like South Africa, Wales, New Zealand and all in action, don't blink, you might miss a try or a thunderous tackle. Rugby Sevens is fast and is a fantastic spectator sport," Hussain added.
Even Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi had said in a press conference that the disciplines like rugby 7s, swimming and boxing are being watched by considerable number of people.
"All tickets of rugby have been sold out, 100 per cent tickets of boxing and badminton semi-final are finished. 80 per cent tickets of tennis and swimming competitions are also sold out," Kalmadi said.
The news is fantastic for rugby in India and is a big confidence booster for the sport's future in the country.
International Rugby Sevens is a sold out affair all through the world, not just in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Australia or South Africa, but all over the world where Rugby Sevens take place and same is happening here in India is a big morale-booster for the organisers.
"Lots of people in Delhi known to me have brought tickets for the game. That's great and really exciting. The field is really going to be strong. But we are ready for the challenges and looking for some great rugby action in front of the home crowd," said Amit Loachab, one of the Indian team member.
Many foreign nationals have also brought tickets for big time contests involving New Zealand, Australia and others.
Gulruk, whose fiance is an Australian and has purchased tickets, said, "we are looking forward to some great Rugby action."
The excellent sales of Rugby just shows that awareness about the game is just picking up in the country.
One of the official associated with the Rugby India, sport's India governing body, said he has been told that many people from the New Zealand High Commission in Delhi were coming to watch the games.
As for the home squad, they are rank outsiders in a top class field and the Indian contingent will look to prove that they can compete at the highest level.
Grouped with Wales, South Africa and Tonga in the October 3-14 mega event, the Indian ruggers have little chance to go beyond the preliminary league round but nonetheless are looking to give their more fancied rivals a run for their money in front of home crowd.