Rugby team to tour Mumbai despite threats

Official hopes for tight security for players in two-day event.

KARACHI: Despite threats from Shiv Sena, the Pakistan rugby team is determined to do well at the HSBC Asian Sevens series to be held in Mumbai on October 13 and 14.      

The Indian metropolis has become a prohibited destination for Pakistani stars icons over the years due to continuous threats from the right wing party which warned of dire consequences for performers from this side of the border.

The party also issued a reminder after a cricket series between the two countries was finalised for this December.

However, a top Pakistan Rugby Union (PRU) official said the team will ‘definitely’ take part in the tournament.

“The team should leave [by today],” the PRU Secretary Arif Saeed told The Express Tribune. “We’re aware of the situation. But we are confident that the organisers will take strict measures to ensure security of our players.”

As many as 16 teams divided into four groups will take part in the event which will also play role in determining qualifiers for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 in Moscow.

Pakistan are placed in Group C along with Chinese Taipei, Korea and Kazakhstan.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2012.