Mumbai: The Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU) is proud to host the 4th leg of the international HSBC Asian Rugby Sevens Series in alliance with HSBC and Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU). The 4thleg of the series, it is the first International Rugby Tournament being held in Goa.

The tournament will be held from Saturday, November 19 to Sunday, November 20, 2011 at Don Bosco School Ground, Panjim, from 9am to 5pm, on both days. Asia’s Top 8 teams will battle for the honors in the 4thleg of the HSBC Asian Rugby Sevens Series. The participant countries are –China, Singapore, Iran, Hong Kong, Kazakistan, UAE, UAE - Shain & India

Hon. Representatives from International and National Rugby Boards – Ross Mitchell, Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU), Jarrad Gallagher, International Rugby Board (IRB), Mr. Sean Moore from HSBC, Pramod Khanna, President of Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU), Aga Hussain, Vice President of Indian Rugby Football Union and Anish Quenim, Goa Rugby Football Union (GRFU) were present at the function.

Pramod Khanna, President of Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU) said, “Rugby is second most popular game in the world and is among the fastest growing sports in India. So the Series has come to India at the right time. We want to provide Indian Rugby lovers and supporters an opportunity to witness world class matches first hand. The plan is to bring more such international matches to other parts of India as well.”

Speaking on today’s announcement, Sean Moore from HSBCsaid, “HSBC has been a long time supporter of Rugby. Today we once again cement our commitment to developing the sport in Asia by bringing the HSBC Asian Sevens Series to India. By investing in the new HSBC Asian Sevens Series, we aim to take Rugby to a larger audience and encourage people to become involved with the sport.”

Ross Mitchell, Secretary General, Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) remarked, “I would like to thank HSBC for their continued support that has been vital to the development and expansion of rugby in Asia. Organizing the 4thleg of the HSBC Asian Sevens Series in Goa promises to extend this remarkable growth to India. We have made tremendous strides in our sport since 2008 and we are excited at the fresh prospects that our association will bring for Indian rugby.”

Anish Quenim, Goa Rugby Football Union said, “GRFU is proud to host Goa’s first International Rugby tournament. Being a newly formed rugby union, we are immensely grateful to IRFU, ARFU and HSBC for giving us the opportunity to host such an important international series. It will help us attract a lot of youngsters in Goa towards the sport. We look forward to passionate Rugby supporters from across India to join us and witness the Rugby action.”