By Danial NorjidiBorneo Bulletin
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Brunei are set to be one of the hosts for the inaugural Asian Rugby Sevens Series, which will be an annual event, beginning this year from Oct 24-25 at the Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Brunei are set to be one of the hosts for the inaugural Asian Rugby Sevens Series, which will be an annual event, beginning this year from Oct 24-25 at the Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium.
This was announced during a press conference yesterday held by Brunei Rugby Football Union (BRFU) which was attended by its president Dr Hj Kamaruddin, outgoing secretary Mark Pyrgos and director of international relations Ainol Razman.
BRFU, as one of the host unions of the Asian Rugby Sevens Series, have been given a contract to host annual 'Brunei Sevens' rugby tournaments for four years.
According to Pyrgos, the Brunei Sevens will be "a big event which will feature many activities going on around the stadium for families, with rugby as the centerpiece."
"We see the Brunei Sevens as a platform to allow Bruneian rugby players to compete and try a different level of rugby," he added.
Although the Brunei Sevens are a tournament for players over 18 years old, according to Ainol Razman, the BRFU have also organised youth tournaments to take place "within" the Brunei Sevens.
"During the Brunei Sevens there will be Under-16 and Under-18 tournaments; tournament within a tournament," he said.
Mark Pyrgos explained: "The reason for the 'Youth Sevens' is to ensure the development of youth players in Brunei. We are doing this to create a much more achievable path for youths in rugby in Brunei."
When asked who the participating teams for the Brunei Sevens were, Ainol Razman said: "Currently we are awaiting confirmation from seven international teams: Japan, Singapore, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand. The eighth team is Brunei."
As of yet, a Brunei's team line-up has yet to be confirmed. Ainol Razman said: "We will choose teams (for both the youth and senior tournaments) based on the commitment, skills and physical presence of the players."
The BRFU also revealed that Brunei Tourism Board has endorsed the Brunei Sevens.
On the subject of sponsors, he said: "We are still looking for sponsors, so any potential partners should contact me (Ainol). We have a four-year contract to hold the Brunei Sevens, and we are confident that rugby sevens will grow into a major sport in Asia."
Ainol Razman can be reached by phone at 6738886970 and by email at ainolrazman@gmail.com.
BRFU, as one of the host unions of the Asian Rugby Sevens Series, have been given a contract to host annual 'Brunei Sevens' rugby tournaments for four years.
According to Pyrgos, the Brunei Sevens will be "a big event which will feature many activities going on around the stadium for families, with rugby as the centerpiece."
"We see the Brunei Sevens as a platform to allow Bruneian rugby players to compete and try a different level of rugby," he added.
Although the Brunei Sevens are a tournament for players over 18 years old, according to Ainol Razman, the BRFU have also organised youth tournaments to take place "within" the Brunei Sevens.
"During the Brunei Sevens there will be Under-16 and Under-18 tournaments; tournament within a tournament," he said.
Mark Pyrgos explained: "The reason for the 'Youth Sevens' is to ensure the development of youth players in Brunei. We are doing this to create a much more achievable path for youths in rugby in Brunei."
When asked who the participating teams for the Brunei Sevens were, Ainol Razman said: "Currently we are awaiting confirmation from seven international teams: Japan, Singapore, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand. The eighth team is Brunei."
As of yet, a Brunei's team line-up has yet to be confirmed. Ainol Razman said: "We will choose teams (for both the youth and senior tournaments) based on the commitment, skills and physical presence of the players."
The BRFU also revealed that Brunei Tourism Board has endorsed the Brunei Sevens.
On the subject of sponsors, he said: "We are still looking for sponsors, so any potential partners should contact me (Ainol). We have a four-year contract to hold the Brunei Sevens, and we are confident that rugby sevens will grow into a major sport in Asia."
Ainol Razman can be reached by phone at 6738886970 and by email at ainolrazman@gmail.com.
The schedule of the Asian Rugby Sevens Series 2009 begins with the Shanghai Sevens (an ARFU event) in China from Sept 12-13 followed by the Subic Sevens in the Philippines from Oct 10-11, the Brunei Sevens from Oct 24-25, Borneo Sevens (an ARFU event) in Kota Kinabalu from Oct 31 to Nov 1, Kish Island Sevens in Kish Island, Iran from Nov 20-22 and finally the Sri Lanka Sevens from Nov 28-29.
Meanwhile, the final match of the Darussalam Cup between Pythons and Knights will be held on Saturday at 5pm at Jerudong International School, and is open to the public.
Meanwhile, the final match of the Darussalam Cup between Pythons and Knights will be held on Saturday at 5pm at Jerudong International School, and is open to the public.
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