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Rugby Sevens lovers all over Pakistan are celebrating the addition of the sport to the 31st National Games.

After a lot of grass roots development work by the Pakistan Rugby union in spreading the game of Sevens in all provinces, it is now part of the National Games.

Pakistan were involved in the final leg of the inaugural Asian Sevens Series in Sri Lanka, demonstrating the growth of the sport.

Sevens is now played in all areas of Pakistan, from the beaches of Karachi to the deserts of Southern Punjab, and schools and universities are entering PRU tournaments and starting their own rugby programs.

The IOC decision to include rugby in the Olympics in 2016 also played a part in the acceptance of the PRU’s bid to add Sevens to the National Games.

The opening ceremony of the 31st National Games will be held at Qayyum Sports Complex on March 25, 2010, and Sevens will be one of a number of sports including hockey, athletics, boxing, football and karate.

Even though the sport won’t be part of the women’s programme, the PRU is also actively working on its development.

The current national champions are Punjab Rugby Association and will be favourites to take the gold, but Islamabad and the Police will also be in contention.