Rugby lovers all over Pakistan are celebrating the addition of rugby 7s in the 31st national games . After a lot of grass roots development work by the Pakistan Rugby union in spreading the game of rugby in all provinces and all major departments. rugby now is part of the national games. a great milestone for the development and spread of rugby in the country.
In the last 10 year the rugby playing populations has increased exponentially due to the efforts of PRU rugby was initially played by expats and a few locals . now has a playing population of more ever before made up of all local players who are actively playing and is played in all areas of Pakistan from the beaches of Karachi to the small town of NWFP and fata, from the deserts of southern Punjab to foothills of the margla mountains in the capital . junior rugby is also flourishing with new schools and universities entering PRU tournaments and starting there own rugby programs part every. The IOC decision to include rugby in the Olympics in 2016 also played a part in the acceptance of PRU bid to add rugby
pak1-150x150The opening ceremony of the 31st National Games would be held here at Qayyum Sports Complex on March 25, 2010, The men's events are athletics, hockey, swimming, badminton, bodybuilding, boxing, basketball, cycling, football, golf, handball, judo, kabaddi, karate, taekwondo, shooting, squash, rugby 7s, table tennis, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling and wushu.
The women will be taking part in 11 different events like athletics, swimming, badminton, cycling, football, karate, taekwondo, shooting, table tennis and wushu.Women Swimming and Rifle Shooting (Men & Women) which will be held in Islamabad, all the other 20 events will take place in NWFP
even though women rugby is not part of the games Pakistan rugby union is also actively working on its women's rugby development program with women's rugby already started in some universities and schools in Punjab.Iran has a very good rugby program with its national women's team doing well in the Asian circuit and PRU is committed as part of its 4 year strategic plan to develop a full women's rugby program
the National games closing ceremony would be held on March 31, 2010. Pakistan rugby union will be in charge of the rugby event providing the officiating and management
Since hearing this news almost all the Local departments have asked for help in furthering there rugby sports departments
The current national champions are Punjab Rugby association and will be favorites to take the gold , with Islamabad and police team also in close contention this should be a great event
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