How Did Javed Hussain Transition from a Delhi Slum to a Star in the RPL?

Mumbai, June 21 (NationPress) A week into the Rugby Premier League (RPL) season, the Hyderabad Heroes have achieved a perfect record, winning all four of their matches and leading the standings with 15 points. Central to their triumph is Javed Hussain, a player whose journey is truly remarkable. With four tries and 20 points, Javed is not only the top-performing Indian in the league but also ranks seventh overall in the points tally.

“I am very happy with my team. We understand and support each other. We trust each other and are united as a team.” This sense of unity has been crucial in securing significant victories, including a recent win against the Mumbai Dreamers, where Javed was honored as ‘Player of the Match’.

Although he is currently excelling, Javed remembers feeling anxious before his first game in the RPL. “When I played my first match, I was a little hopeless. I didn't know how I was going to play against such big names. But everything changed after that first game and my first try. When the match ended, my coach selected me as the Hero of the Day and gave me a jersey. I started crying when I received the jersey,” he reflected.

Originating from a modest background in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, Javed has a unique story about how he got into rugby. He shared, “We used to live in Juggis (makeshift houses). There was a jungle behind where we used to go to relieve ourselves since we didn't have a bathroom. Eventually, an NGO, Earth Foundation, came, cleared the jungle, and created a ground.”

“Coaches from the Delhi Hurricanes rugby club collaborated with the NGO to train kids there. I used to watch my friends play, but I didn't understand the sport and was intimidated by the older kids, so I hesitated to join. I started playing because the coaches promised me a packet of ‘Tiger’ biscuits after training, and my greed for those biscuits motivated me,” he explained.

Despite his humble beginnings, Javed emphasized that he is not in the RPL for money or fame; he is there for the experience. “When I joined the league, I didn't care about money or anything else. I just wanted to play with the people I admired on TV. I wanted to learn from them. It doesn't matter if I perform well; I just wanted the experience of playing alongside and against them,” he stated.

Training alongside world-class players in the Hyderabad Heroes camp, including Olympic medallists like Joji Nasova and Terio Tamani from Fiji, as well as global stars like Spanish captain Manu Moreno, provides invaluable exposure for Javed as a budding rugby player.

Javed is also benefiting from training under one of rugby's greats, DJ Forbes, a former captain of the All Blacks Sevens team. He shared, “I don’t feel any pressure from my coach; he is the best person I could ask to train under. He understands my potential and strengths, guiding me very well on the field. Our captain, Manu Moreno, is also very supportive. He helps me learn from my mistakes and provides great insights.”

In every match, Javed plays with his hands taped, bearing the words ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’ along with a heart. When asked about this tribute, he replied, “When I used to play earlier, my family didn’t have much money, but my dad supported me as best as he could. Despite our struggles, they always tried to provide whatever I needed, and I am extremely grateful for them.”

RPL Matches on June 21:

The evening kicks off with the Chennai Bulls, who are eager to avenge their previous night's loss against the Bengaluru Bravehearts. With both teams closely matched in the standings, this match is crucial for playoff positioning.

Next, the Hyderabad Heroes will face the Mumbai Dreamers. The Heroes have been the standout team thus far with a flawless record, while the Dreamers are still in search of their first win of the season.

Rounding out the evening are the Delhi Redz and Kalinga Black Tigers. The Redz aim to secure more points after their last match against these same opponents while the Black Tigers hope to improve upon their solitary draw as the season approaches its midpoint.