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India, Malaysia and the Philippines have confirmed their participation in the next leg of the IRB Asian Sevens Series in International Rugby Board (IRB)-sanctioned Brunei 7s.

The Brunei Rugby Football Union (BRFU) officially announced it had won the bid to host the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) event on Aug 9, and the two-day tournament from Oct 24-25 is the third leg of the inaugural Asian Rugby Sevens Series.

“We have received written confirmation from India and the Philippines, with Malaysia confirming their participation verbally,” said BRFU’s Director of International Relations Ainol Razman in a telephone interview yesterday.

“We are waiting for four more teams to confirm their participation since we are only willing to host eight countries.

“I know Thailand might not join since many of their players are injured and have other commitments, with Singapore also saying that they can only compete next year.

“However, nothing is official yet,” stressed Ainol, who said in an interview last month that the teams were expected to confirm their participation today.

Apart from providing an opportunity for all ARFU members to participate in an ARFU Sevens tournament, the series is also aimed at producing a ranking of Asian (seven-a-side) teams.

Enquiries have been received from Arabian Gulf, Cambodia, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Thailand for tournament to be held at the Balapan Track & Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas.

Since BRFU was only willing to host eight countries, Ainol said that he would communicate with IRB and ARFU officials today to find an amicable solution.

“But you know how it is, this is Asia so all the confirmations might come as late as two weeks before the tournament!”

The Sultanate won the bid to host the event for the next four years and Ainol said that the BRFU recognised the potential that the competition offered for sports tourism, with the Brunei Tourism Board fully endorsing this year’s edition.

Ainol also revealed that the Brunei Sevens Tournament has the backing of the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB).

According to Ainol: “Dato Paduka Timothy Ong from BEDB knows how rugby can promote Brunei as a sports tourism destination.”

Another interesting revelation from Ainol was that ESPN (Entertainment Sports Programming Network) are set to cover the event.

“We have an agreement with ESPN for them to come down and cover the event, maybe as highlights and for news coverage.”

“I have also made an agreement with ESPN to showcase Brunei for three minutes, to promote tourism in Brunei,” Ainol added.

“ESPN has around 390 million viewers, which means potentially 390 million people will be watching the event.”
Ainol also revealed that Radio Television Brunei (RTB) would be covering the live telecasts, while the BRFU is working with RBA to bring the teams in.

During the meeting, Ainol also emphasised the importance of getting more sponsors.

“We still need more sponsorship, and any interested parties who want to work with us as a part of the event should get in contact with us.”

“We are offering a price range of anywhere from $500 to $20,000. Anyone who signs up for it will be given airtime, or product placement on ESPN.”

“Partners or advertisers work with this will get banners all over town, and we also have the added values.”

“These include family values (with a carnival), and business networking —we will have them in a pre-tournament function with VIPs once confirmed, ambassadors and high-commissioners.”

“Also included are the promotion of an anti-drugs programme with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), as well as the promotion of Brunei as a tourist destination.”

“We hope to make Brunei a stopover point for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand,” he added.