Asia Rugby 7s Trophy: A step further in development of rugby in Nepal

Kathmandu, Oct. 2: Over 450 players from 17 countries will be in Kathmandu by October 3 to participate in the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy (ARST) as Dasharath Stadium is hosting the second-biggest annual rugby 7s tournament in Asia on October 4 and 5.

The ARST will see 14 men’s and eight women’s teams competing for the top spot and progress to the 2025 Asia Rugby Sevens Series (ARSS), the biggest 7s tournament in Asia where the top seven teams are waiting.

The Nepali men’s team is ranked 10th and the women’s team is ranked 6th by Asia Rugby, the governing body of rugby in Asia.

It is the third time that Nepal will be hosting an Asian-level rugby tournament. Nepal successfully hosted the Asian U18 Sevens in 2022 and the Asian U20 Sevens in 2023.

“After two under-age Asian tournaments hosted successfully, Asia Rugby accepted our bid to host the ARST in 2024. Many rich countries were bidding for the hosting rights, but Nepal got the chance. We are proud to be hosting it because it is all for developing rugby in Nepal,” said Dipak Devkota, President of the Nepal Rugby Association (NRA).

The men’s teams being hosted by Nepal in the ARST 2024 are Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei, India, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan. Similarly, Nepal will welcome the women’s teams of Guam, India, Indonesia, Iran, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan. 

Sacrifices by players

The Nepal Rugby Association (NRA) has been training Nepali rugby players for the ARST for the past five months. From over 65 men’s and women’s players selected as the preliminary squad to a reduction of 20 players each in the two categories in July end, the players were trained by a coach from New Zealand since August. 

The 40 selected players were trained in Bhaktapur and a closed camp in Pokhara for two months. Based on their performance in the training, a 16-member squad (12 players and four reserves) was announced on September 29 for the men’s and women’s teams respectively.

“For the past five months, the players have given their all. We only provided accommodation, no salaries or allowances, while they trained to win the ARST for the country and pave a new path for rugby in Nepal,” said Devkota.

NRA struggles too

According to the Nepal Rugby Association (NRA), the estimated budget for the ARST is Rs. 22 million. The Nepali government has allocated Rs. 5 million for the Asian tournament in the budget for FY 2024/25 and, “The NRA is receiving USD 20,000 from Asia Rugby. We are searching for sponsors to aid us in the remaining areas,” said Devkota.

“While we search for sponsors, we have completed our preparations for the ARST. Every necessary service and requirement for the ARST has been guaranteed,” Devkota told The Rising Nepal.

As per the NRA, 17 Asia Rugby representatives, 10 referees and six medics are coming from abroad to officiate the ARST on October 2.

“After the Asia Rugby officials arrive in Kathmandu, the fixtures for the ARST will be revealed,” said Devkota.

The Dasharath Stadium will also begin to see amendments for the tournament after the officials arrive as the NRA needs to make markings and other arrangements as per rugby rules.

As per the rules, the host should also manage space for the teams from 17 countries to practice for at least 30 minutes before the tournament.

“A day before the inauguration of the tournament, we have managed two grounds – of Nepal Police and Budhanilkantha – for the teams to train for 30 minutes each,” said Devkota. 

Nevertheless, several teams have started arriving in Kathmandu from October 1. Players from the Philippines, Chinese Taipei and Afghanistan arrived on Tuesday. “Many teams, including India, are arriving on Wednesday and all of them will be here by Thursday,” Devkota added.

For the teams who have arrived before October 3, the NRA has managed futsal grounds for the players to do regular warmups. 

“We do not have abundant resources, but we have the basics. Asia Rugby has trusted Nepal and it is for the pride of our country that we will host the tournament successfully by fulfilling the required needs of the visiting players by utilising what we have to the utmost,” said Devkota.

For rugby in Nepal

Rugby is in a developing phase in Nepal. However, in the past few years, Nepal has taken big steps in rugby.

Nepal’s major development in rugby started after July 2019 when Nepal was acknowledged as a full member of Asia Rugby. Nepal has then continuously participated in underage Asian tournaments alongside senior men’s and women’s tournaments, specifically the ARST. Nepal has also participated in Rugby 7s in the 19th Asian Games.

The game is also developing domestically. Rugby 7s debuted in the National Games in the previous edition and is being continued in the 10th edition slated for November 2024.

Moreover, Rugby 7s is debuting in the South Asian Games as Pakistan gears up to organise it in April-May next year. 

“While we look forward to winning the ARST as the host, our players will be busy for the 10th National Games after the tournament. We will then focus on the South Asian Games as we will face the emerging teams, including Sri Lanka. We plan to bring foreign coaches for the preparations,” said Devkota.

As the exposure for the rugby players increases, the NRA sees a prosperous growth of the sport across Nepal. The NRA believes that the Nepali sports community will fall in love with rugby if they start seeing and understanding it.

“The fans are the major foundation for the growth of any sport. We can be one of the most popular sports in Nepal, like cricket and football, within a decade if we get love and support from the public, as well as the authorities,” Devkota said.

“We are promoting the sport by reaching the grassroots. The major goal of the NRA in bidding for the ARST was to attract the Nepali community towards rugby. We see huge potential in the sport. World Rugby is one of the richest international sports federations in the world and the sport can be a boon for Nepal and its new generation,” Devkota stressed.