Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas issued the direction while disposing of a writ petition filed by a plus one student who is a rugby player. The petitioner claimed to have participated in the 2026 National Rugby Championships in the Girls Under-18 category.

The petitioner contended that although rugby is included among the events conducted as part of the National School Games, it has not been included in the Manual governing the Kerala State School Athletic and Games Meet. She had approached various authorities seeking its inclusion, but her representations were not favourably considered.

The petitioner subsequently submitted a representation dated September 16, 2026, before the State Government. The Kerala State Rugby Association had also submitted a separate representation to the Government on September 11, 2026. It was submitted that neither representation had been considered when the writ petition was filed.

“Since Rugby is an event included in the National School Games, its inclusion in the State-level Sports and Games events would, prima facie, appear to be necessary for the promotion of the sport of Rugby in the State. It is a matter which requires serious consideration by the appropriate authority.” Court observed.

The Court took note of the timing of the sporting events and the administrative requirements involved in hosting them, observing that a decision on the proposed inclusion should be taken by the Government at the earliest.

Accordingly, the Court directed the competent authority of the State Government to consider and pass appropriate orders on the petitioner's representation, preferably within four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the judgment.

With this direction, the writ petition was disposed of.

Counsel for Petitioner: B. Mohanlal, P.S. Preetha, Motty Jiby Vasudevan, Abijith M, Avani Naor, Jayaprabha Arjun, Praveena T

Counsel for Respondent: Latha Anand (SC - Kerala State Sports Council), Unni Sebastian (Sr. GP),