Afghanistan national rugby team to participate in Azadi Cup tournament in Pakistan
Punjab Ruby Association (PRA) has confirmed the participation of the Afghanistan rugby team in the forthcoming Azadi Cup tournament. The Azadi Cup tournament, which is organised by the PRA, will kick off in the start of October at the provincial capital
city of Punjab, Lahore. All the matches of the tournament will be played at the DHA L block ground.
Secretary PRA, Khurram Haroon, confirmed the participation of the Afghanistan rugby team in his interview to APP on Wednesday, September 28. The event would be a welcome change for the team that has seen its country ravaged by war for the past decade.
Haroon confirmed that the Afghanistan seven-a-side rugby team will arrive on Lahore on Friday, September 30. He said, “We are delighted to have Afghanistan team in the tournament and their participation will add competition and thrill in the tournament.”
Haroon has expressed his desire to create a setup where both countries will undergo regular tours. The Secretary PRA believes that this exchange will help both Pakistan and Afghanistan to improve their rugby playing skills and techniques.
Elaborating on the format of the tournament, Haroon confirmed that the tournament will be played by seven-a-side teams and also fifteen-a-side squads. He added that at the pool stages each team will comprise of seven a side, while the grand final will be
contested by the sides playing fifteen players each.
Haroon expressed his confidence that the tournament will provide the Afghanistan team an opportunity to gain experience and identify their shortcomings by playing against relatively better opposition. He added, “We have supporting the cause of rugby in Afghanistan
by training and grooming their coaches.”
Lahore squad will be defending their title against local teams and the Afghanistan squad. The event promises to be a welcome sight for rugby loving fans in the region.
In a reply to a question regarding the future of rugby in Pakistan, Haroon termed the game as one of the fastest growing sports in the country. He added, “We have ample rugby talent and our teams have produced encouraging results in international events
home and abroad.”
Earlier this year, Pakistan national Rugby Union team participated in the HSBSC Asian Five Nations Division III competition.
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