Asian Rugby Division 1 Championship in Malaysia :Kazakhstan pulls out sighting financial constraints | Daily News

Asian Rugby Division 1 Championship in Malaysia :Kazakhstan pulls out sighting financial constraints

Action at last year’s Sri Lanka-Kasakhtan 15-a-side rugby semi final match.

 

Following Kazakhstan’s withdrawal from Division I of the Asian Rugby Championship in Malaysia sighting financial constraints,the United Arab Emirates rugby team is on the verge of receiving an unexpected promotion to the Division I tournament next time around.

The Kazakhstan who are ranked third behind Sri Lanka and Phillipines were due to face Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Malaysia in Division I in Malaysia this week but pulled out from the tournament due to financial constraints. The country’s government said that they will only funding sevens rugby as it is an Olympic sport, with the men’s 15 a side programme subsequently suspended.

As a result Kazakhstan women’s national team has also pulled out from the Asia 3 Nations and will also miss the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland next year.

Singapore, relegated from Division I last season, was due to take on Uzbekistan in Division II in Tashkent later this month with the winner meeting either Apollo Perelini’s UAE team or Guam on May 21. But they have got the ‘ARFU’ nod to be re-instated to Division I, with Thailand taking their place in Division II.

The news was welcomed by Singapore national team who were relegated to Division II following losses to the Philippines (20-17) and Kazakhstan (32-12) last year.

Kazakhstan’s pull out seems like a decision that will benefit United Arab Emirates side, who are the second lowest ranked nation in Division II, currently 83rd in the World Rugby standings. Thailand (76th) and Guam (73rd) are both above them, with hosts Uzbekistan ranked 87th.

Division-I tournament is currently taking place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with the tournament ending on Saturday.

The United Arab Emirates team will fly to Tashkent the same day and will play against Guam in a semi-final on May 18. If they come out victorious then they will face the winner of Uzbekistan and Thailand game. -WAI


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