Sevens Event Will Play Important Role In Boosting China's Interest In Rugby

The Women's Int'l Rugby Sevens tournament will be held Thursday through Sunday in Zengcheng, China, and Int'l Rugby Board GM for Asia Jarrad Gallagher said that hosting int'l rugby tournaments "will play a major role in raising the profile of the sport" within the country, according to Qiu Quanlin of the CHINA DAILY. Gallagher said, "The key point of bringing an event to Guangzhou is that it will help inspire more interest from all circles in rugby." Gallagher said that with the Rugby World Cup coming to Japan in '19, "there now exists a tremendous opportunity to raise awareness and promote the game" throughout Asia. China Rugby Association General Secretary Liu Rongyao said that "to further promote rugby," which is returning to the Summer Olympics in '16, China will include the sport in its National Games next year. China, which became an official member of the IRB in '97, has yet to qualify for a Rugby World Cup (CHINA DAILY, 10/22).