Pakistan Rugby Union plans events at all levels

Country seeks formal status after fulfilling criteria.

LAHORE: The Pakistan Rugby Union (PRU) has announced this year’s calendar and called 2011 “a year of rugby” as it planned events at the junior, senior, varsity and departmental levels.

The first major event of the season will take place in Karachi under the PRU with Pakistan Navy and Sindh Rugby Association hosting the inter-department rugby championship.

“It is quite exciting as this year the World Cup will also take place in New Zealand and that will help us to highlight the game in the country,” said the PRU President Fawzi Khawaja in a press conference

“The union will be concentrating on both aspects – Rugby 15 and Rugby 7s – as both games are parallel in nature respectively but we will be especially emphasising on the traditional aspect of the game.”

The PRU currently has 3000 registered players in the country while Pakistan is ranked 13th in Asia as it seeks formal status after fulfilling the criteria of the International Rugby Board.

Pakistan made their international debut against Sri Lanka in 2003, losing 75-3. They won their first match in 2006 against Guam 27-22. Pakistan have played a total of 13 matches, with only three wins and 10 losses.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2011.