Asia Sevens "Emirates Airlines" Rugby kicks off in China next August
BEIJING, 26 JULY / WAM / The Asian Rugby Confederation announced that the first round of the Emirates Airline Sevens Championship series will be held in China at the end of next August, with the participation of 24 elite teams, equally divided between men and women.
Qais Al-Dhali, President of the Federation, held a series of meetings in the Chinese capital, Beijing, as part of an official visit at the invitation of Wang Yun, President of the Chinese Federation. He also met with Tong Lixin, Deputy Minister of Sports and Vice President of the Olympic Committee.
The two sides stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between the Asian and Chinese Federations, to expand the base for playing the game and raise the level of competitions. The visit also included a coordination meeting with the Board of Directors of the Chinese Federation, attended by Wang Yun, President of the Federation, Jin Hongwen, Secretary-General, and Benjamin Van Rooyen, Executive Director of the Asian Federation, during which the latest preparations for hosting the first round, and the organizational and technical aspects, were reviewed.
Al-Dhali confirmed that the AFC is keen to expand the map of hosting tournaments and events across the continent.
He revealed that the AFC has given China priority in hosting the second camp for elite referees, for the first time in East Asia as part of the referee development program, under the sponsorship agreement with Emirates Airlines, explaining that the first camp is held annually in Dubai, while one of the two Chinese cities, Shanghai or Guangzhou, will host the second camp next month.
He added that China is also preparing to host the Asian U-18 Sevens Championship next October, in addition to the first round of the Emirates Airlines Asian Sevens Series in August.
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