Kodagu’s Thimmaiah Madanda Elected to Rugby India Board
Virajpet: Thimmaiah Madanda, a former international rugby player from Virajpet in Kodagu district, has been elected to the board of Rugby India after winning the Sportsperson of Outstanding Merit (SOM) election.
Thimmaiah defeated Chaitanya Singh of Maharashtra in a closely contested election, marking a significant milestone in his transition from international rugby to sports administration.
Thimmaiah represented India at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games. Between 2006 and 2010, he played 42 international matches for the Indian team. He also represented Bengaluru’s rugby team during his sporting career.
Beyond his achievements on the field, Thimmaiah has gained considerable experience in sports administration and management. From 2011 to 2023, he worked with various sports leagues, including those for basketball, cricket, volleyball and badminton. He has also contributed to sports development programmes in association with the Reliance Foundation and the HCL Foundation.
Currently, he works independently with various sports leagues, drawing on his experience as an athlete and his expertise in sports management and administration.
His election to the Rugby India board is expected to bring valuable sporting and administrative experience to the organisation. As a board member, he will participate in key decisions related to the governance, growth and development of rugby in India.
His priorities include strengthening grassroots sports development, creating more opportunities for players, expanding competitions and contributing to the long-term growth of Indian rugby.
Reacting to his victory, Thimmaiah thanked the SOM members who voted for him and expressed his commitment to the development of the sport.
“I extend my heartfelt thanks to all the SOM members who placed their trust in me and voted for me. I see this victory not merely as a personal achievement but as a responsibility to work towards the development of rugby in India. I will work in unity with the other board members and the sporting community to create more opportunities for players and strive to take Indian rugby to greater heights,” he said.
He also congratulated the other candidates who contested the election and stressed the importance of collective efforts to ensure the overall growth of rugby in the country.
Thimmaiah’s election to the national governing body is a notable achievement for Kodagu, a district with a strong sporting tradition. His experience as an international player and sports administrator is expected to contribute to the development of rugby and create greater opportunities for aspiring players across India.
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