SINGAPORE: Singapore will host a new rugby event in 2011 or 2012, called the Asia Pacific Sevens tournament. Some 20 nations are expected to take part in the inaugural event, said the Singapore Rugby Union (SRU). As rugby in Singapore growing steadily, with more schools taking to it and more events being organised, the Singapore Rugby Union is looking at bringing in a big tournament that will be a further boost for the sport. Prior to this, the biggest rugby event was the IRB Singapore Sevens that ended its run because the National Stadium will no longer be available. With the Sevens now part of the 2016 Olympics, each of the continent will need a qualifying event. Low Teo Ping, President of the SRU, said: "We have put up our hand to host the Asia Rugby Football Union qualifying round, but in order to do that which will be for the 2016 Games, we ought to start right now itself. "So next year or the following year...we will be hosting the Asia Pacific Sevens tournament in Singapore." The Rugby Union said it may work with the SCC Sevens series for a possible venue and the event could eventually be staged at the upcoming Sports Hub when it is ready in four years' time. The sport has made much progress, with the women's team competing in the recent Asian Games. "If we had a little bit more time and if we can start women's rugby at a much younger age, I think we can be a force to reckon with in Asia," said Mr Low. Besides the game of sevens, there will also be more opportunities for the women, to compete in the 15s version of the sport. The women's team will be playing under the Asian Football Rugby Union in 2011, so there will be events for them to play within a certain division, Mr Low added. There could also be more good news for rugby fans. When the Sports Hub is up and running, organisers are looking at bringing back the popular IRB Sevens event which Singapore last hosted in 2006. SRU said the IRB Sevens format could change after 2013 when the current contract ends. With the Sevens being an Olympic qualifying event, it can no longer be an annual event as there will be a break during the year the Olympics is being staged. However, SRU is serious about bringing world class teams to Singapore to compete.