World rugby takes notice of Pak rugby achievement

World rugby takes notice of Pak rugby achievement

LAHORE, June 13 (APP): Pakistan has been placed 10th in world rugby and third in Asia in “Get in to Rugby” program and the World Rugby has taken due notice of Pakistan rugby’s achievement and indicated its interest to assist it in the further development of the Sport through various programs including training and material support.

“It is a matter of great pride for us that we are among the top ten
rugby nations in 150 countries this year in the number of boys and girls that participated in the GIR Program around the globe and in top three in Asia,” said President, Pakistan Rugby Union, Fawzi Khawaja while talking to APP here on Monday.

The World Rugby Global Report provides the statistics regarding rugby
activities in Pakistan according to which over 570,375 participants since January 2016, 35% of the participants are girls, 154 registered unions, 117 active unions since January 2016, 1,100 active locations, more than 11,375 trained personnel delivering the activities.

He said Pakistan Rugby has been actively engaged in development of the  Sport at the grass root level. “It also has embarked on an ambitious effort to induct trained coaches through its Train the Trainer Program. All Participants are provided World Rugby Certification and to develop a pathway for these Coaches,” he added. Pakistan ranked 3rd in Asia behind China and Japan who are also actively engaged in the GIR Program.

“Seeing Pak rugby at rise the world rugby has indicated an interest to
assist it in the further development of the Sport through various programs,” he asserted.

To a question, Fawzi Khawaja said that he would be satisfied with the
Governmental support if they were to create an enabling environment for Rugby to be part of the School and College Boards Sports Events, rather than for the Federation to approach each educational institution individually.

“We are thankful to Higher Education Commission for its interest in
rugby and making it part of its annual Sports events,” said PRU Chief.
He contended for any Sport to flourish the nursery is the educational
institutions and called for launching collective efforts to engage youth in this sport at early level.

Pakistan Rugby is targeting young talent from the age of 14 onwards,
providing training and arranging competitions to groom the youngsters, he said.

Meanwhile Secretary, Pakistan Olympic Association, Muhammad Khalid
Mahmood said that it is really heartening to observe that Pakistan Rugby is among the top ten performers worldwide in terms of the development as per World Rugby GIR Report. “This achievement speaks of your dedication and constants struggle to promote the sport of Rugby in the country and elsewhere,” he added.

The President, POA, Lt. Gen. (R) Syed Arif Hasan and the entire Olympic
Family of POA offer their heartiest congratulations on achieving this ranking. Please keep it up for still higher and better placing in the World, he maintained.

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