India becomes latest International Rugby League member nation

Rugby League India has been approved as International Rugby League's 57th national federation and the third in Asia.

A vote of International Rugby League Full Member nations approved Rugby League India's admission to the IRL as an Observer Member following a 20-month application period.

Rugby League India (RLIN) Chairman Mohammad Iqbal said: “India being granted recognition by the International Rugby League (IRL) is a significant step forward and the beginning of an important new chapter for the sport in the country. Membership gives us not merely a place within the international fraternity, but a responsibility to build the game with purpose and integrity.

"Our priority now is to build strong foundations, increase participation, develop credible domestic structures and pathways that create opportunities for Indian players, coaches and officials to progress onto the international stage. We look forward to working closely with IRL to establish India as a serious and competitive rugby league nation.”

While RLIN is registered in the southerly Andhra Pradesh state, its nine founders are experienced rugby administrators drawn from south, central and north-west areas, and are connected to multiple other enthusiasts from a collection of regions in the vast country of 1.48 billion people.

Under the Indian Sports Act, a minimum of 27 of India's 36 states and territories must be registered with the sports ministry and active for at least three years for a sport to be nationally recognised.

RLIN hopes to formalise a number of state bodies that will join the national federation as voting members and which will manage development in their respective territories.

IRL Membership and Competitons Manager Remond Safi said: "I am pleased to welcome India as a new member of the Asia-Pacific region. This milestone represents another important step in the continued growth and development of rugby league across the region.

"It is an exciting time for the Asia-Pacific region, with several additional membership applications currently under review, highlighting the growing interest in the sport and the opportunities for further expansion in the years ahead."

IRL has received multiple Indian applications in the past decade, but RLIN is the only applicant to satisfy all the criteria of membership.