Parents tackle school chiefs over rugby plan

News the sport of rugby will be introduced to 30 primary schools in Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu province has caused a scrum of surprise and worry among parents, Yangtse Evening Post reported Monday.

Internet user "zhangchaosdu" first posted the news online on May 29 and it was later confirmed by Nanjing Municipal Bureau of Sports (NMBS).

It is a "growth plan" jointly set up by International Rugby Board and Nanjing city early this year, said Niu Yong, director of Football management center at NMBS.

But some parents have attempted to tackle the plan online by not supporting the idea. "It's too violent and bloody for children," said a father surnamed Zhang.

Niu said he was not surprised by the parents' attitudes, but he stressed the course had no physical clashes.

"It's impossible for any sport without any confrontation. Some boys lose masculinity nowadays because of a shortage of physical exercise," added Niu.