Rugby wants a place in SA Games

Rugby Asia President, Qais Al-Dhalai, met with Bangladesh Olympic Association Secretary-General Syed Shahed Reza at his office on Wednesday morning and discussed the inclusion of Rugby in the upcoming South Asian Games, scheduled to take place in Pakistan in 2023.

The Secretary-General of the Nepal Olympic Association, Nilendra Raj Shrestha, was also present there.

Qais arrived in Bangladesh to observe the Rugby series between hosts Bangladesh and Nepal.

Rugby is widely popular in the South-East Asian region and has been gaining popularity in other parts of the continent as well. Qais, the president of Asia Rugby, requested Shahed Reza and Nilendra Raj to include the sport in the upcoming South Asian Games as it takes approval from five national Olympic committees to include a new sport.

Shahed Reza said that Bangladesh Olympic Association is always helping Rugby to grow more, but at the end of the day it is the host nation’s call.

“We are always supportive of any sport. But it is Pakistan’s to decide whether they will add another sport to the itinerary or not. If Rugby is included, we can send a team,” said the BOA Secretary-General.

Qais said that Asia Rugby will keep helping Bangladesh Rugby Federation (Union).

“Bangladesh is considered a potential market in Asia. South Asia is a big market for us. The National Olympic Committees should take more care of Rugby because it is an Olympic sport. Rugby is one of the 28 disciplines of the Summer Olympics. We are helping Bangladesh financially and technically,” he said.

The Asia Rugby President met Pakistan’s National Olympic Committee officials recently and is hopeful of Rugby being included in the next South Asian Games.

The next edition of the South Asian Games is scheduled to take in Pakistan in 2023. But due to political unrest, the Games might be rescheduled. The NOC heads of all the participating nations in the SAFF Games will have an online meeting on June 27 where a clear directive is expected.