Uzbek rugby team arrived Lahore

LAHORE (APP): Uzbekistan rugby team arrived here on Saturday to feature in two test matches of Asian Rugby Championship Division III-C being played from Tomorrow, Sunday.

“The visit of the foreign team will give a tremendous boost to the ongoing efforts for the further development of the game in Pakistan”, said President, Pakistan Rugby Union while addressing a news conference at a local hotel.

Arid said he sees the arrival of Uzbek team as a steppingstone in arrival of several more international teams to Pakistan. Supported by Servis Tyres and DHL, the two match series of the championship will be played at rugby academy at Lahore Cantt on April 28 (Sunday) and May 1 (Wednesday) at 4 pm.

Asian rugby representative Mathew Cor, Pakistan 15 a side captain Kashif Khawaja, head coach Shakeel Ahmed Malik, executive committee member Salman Muzaffar and service manager Syed Mauzzam Ali Shah were also present during the press briefing.

PRU Chief informed that officials from four countries will be officiating the matches. He further informed that their wish was to conduct the matches at the Punjab stadium but the pitch not being of an international standard, they are now being conducted at Lahore Cantt.

“Our national team is a blend of talented players picked after trials held at various parts of the country and eight of the players are featuring in international game for the first time”, he asserted.

Pak rugby captain hoped his team will qualify for division II after their win over Uzbek team. “PRU is doing every bit to raise the game from the grass root level with its players development programme”, he said.

“It is a good omen for Pakistan sports that Uzbek team is playing here which will send a positive message to the world that Our country is a safe place to organize elite sports events”, he said.

Head coach Shakeel Ahmed believes that all the players are fit and roaring to go. “I am hopeful the team will deliver as expected after their hard held training in the camp,” he added.

Shakeel said the visit of the Uzbek team is a step forward for bringing back international sports events to Pakistan besides portraying a better image of the country for holding international sports events.