Rugby proposed to be included in SA Games

Rugby Asia President Qais Al-Dhalai met Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) secretary general Syed Shahed Reza at his office on Wednesday morning to discuss inclusion of rugby in the upcoming South Asian Games, scheduled to take place in Pakistan in 2023.  

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 also gaining popularity in the other parts of the continent as well. Qais, the president of Asia Rugby requested Syed Shahed Reza and Nilendra Raj, secretary general of the Nepal Olympic Association, 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 BOA 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.