From the lanes of Bengal’s marginalised communities to the bright lights of India’s newest sporting spectacle, seven young athletes from Atlas Project Partner, Khelo Rugby , are set to showcase their talents on a national stage like never before.
The Atlas Foundation is proud to support Khelo Rugby, a flagship project of Future Hope that uses the power of sport to transform lives in some of India’s most disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Now, seven of its graduates are making history as they prepare to compete in the inaugural Rugby Premier League (RPL) — the world’s first franchise-based rugby tournament — taking place in Mumbai from June 1–15.
Modelled on the Indian Premier League (IPL), the RPL will feature franchise teams from Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bhubaneswar. With a dynamic mix of 30 top international rugby stars and 30 emerging Indian players, the league is a major milestone for Rugby India and promises to revolutionise the sport’s visibility and impact in the region.
Among the standout stories is Rajdeep Saha, a 23-year-old from Murshidabad, who rose from being raised in an orphanage to becoming one of India’s brightest rugby prospects. Discovered through Khelo Rugby at just 10 years old, Rajdeep has gone on to represent India internationally in countries including Japan, South Africa, and England. At the RPL player draft, he was signed by Delhi Redz for ₹2.75 lakh — one of the highest Indian bids in the tournament.
“For me, the best part of RPL is to be able to play with some of the global superstars of the game, people I have grown up admiring. Playing in the same team as Jordan Conroy (the Irish Rugby Sevens star and one of the top names in the circuit) is a dream come true. I could not have asked for more.”
Joining Rajdeep in the RPL are six other Khelo Rugby players:
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Arjun Mahato – Kalinga Black Tigers (₹50,000)
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Akash Balmiki – Mumbai Dreamers (₹90,000)
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Sukumar Hembrom – Hyderabad Heroes (₹60,000)
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Sumit Kumar Roy – Hyderabad Heroes (₹1.25 lakh)
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Karan Rajbhar – Bengaluru Bravehearts (₹80,000)
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Arpan Chhetri – Bengaluru Bravehearts (₹60,000)
Each athlete brings a unique story of resilience and determination. Arjun Mahato, for example, lost his father when he was just two months old and was raised by his mother who worked in a local factory. He found rugby through Khelo Rugby at the age of eight, and the sport has since opened doors to education, travel, and national representation.
The founder of Khelo Rugby, Paul Walsh OBE, explained the significance of the league for these young players:
“When they play for India, they receive an allowance. When they play for Future Hope, we provide food, kits, and support. But no one earns a salary for being a rugby player. The RPL could be a turning point — a chance to go professional and dream bigger.”
Unlike many sports leagues where only elite players benefit, the RPL is giving homegrown talent a chance to compete, earn, and be seen. It’s a step toward building a sustainable ecosystem for rugby in India.
For The Atlas Foundation, supporting projects like Khelo Rugby is about more than just sport – it’s about unlocking potential. These seven athletes are proof that with the right support, sport can lift individuals and entire communities.
