'India's biggest rugby strength is its people': Uruguay captain Ardao

Uruguay captain Diego Ardao believes India has the potential to become a strong rugby nation and eventually qualify for the Olympics if the sport continues to grow at the grassroots level.Ardao, who is currently in India representing Hyderabad Heroes in Season 2 of the Rugby Premier League (RPL), said the country's huge population gives it a unique advantage."Rugby in India is still at the beginning of its journey, but the potential is enormous.

With the largest population in the world, the country has an incredible talent pool waiting to be discovered," Ardao said.He believes tournaments like the Rugby Premier League can play a major role in popularising the sport and creating opportunities for young players."Initiatives like the Rugby Premier League are the perfect starting point to inspire more people to play, compete, and dream bigger.

If India continues to invest in participation, development, and infrastructure, Olympic qualification is not a question of if, but when."The Hyderabad Heroes squad features players from several countries, including Spain, New Zealand, India, Samoa and Kenya.

According to Ardao, managing such a diverse group comes with challenges but also many benefits."The biggest challenge of having players from different countries is communication.

On the field, decisions have to be made quickly and effectively under pressure.

But beyond that, I see diversity as a huge advantage.""Every player brings a different culture, experience, and perspective, and that helps us grow not only as athletes but as people."He added that the mix of backgrounds within the team creates an environment where everyone learns from one another."When players from different parts of the world come together with a common goal, they create an environment where everyone grows.

That diversity becomes a strength both on and off the field."Looking ahead to the new season, Ardao is confident Hyderabad Heroes can improve on their third-place finish from the inaugural edition."Hyderabad Heroes had a strong campaign last season, and the foundation is already there.

Keeping key players together and adding quality through the draft has given us a great opportunity to compete at the highest level.

We believe we have what it takes to go deep into the tournament."Ardao knows what it takes to reach the Olympics.

He captained Uruguay when the country qualified for the Olympic Games for the first time in its history, an achievement he considers one of the proudest moments of his career."Being captain of the team that qualified Uruguay for its first-ever Olympic Games was a privilege.

It wasn't just about leading on the field—it was about setting the standard every day, representing our nation with humility, respect, and commitment wherever we went.""Qualifying for the Olympics was one of the greatest achievements of my career and one of the biggest milestones in the history of Uruguay Rugby Sevens."Drawing from that experience, Ardao believes India can also dream of Olympic qualification in the future."India has one of the biggest populations in the world, and that's a tremendous asset for any sport.

If rugby can continue to grow participation and create a competitive environment, there's no reason why India cannot eventually challenge for Olympic qualification."He admitted the road ahead will be long but feels the foundations are being laid."Olympic qualification for India will be a long journey, but every successful rugby nation starts somewhere.

The Rugby Premier League is a great kickoff for that journey, and talking to the boys in my team at the Hyderabad Heroes, it's not difficult to see that potential exists."Get the latest Sports News and Live updates.

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