Pan American Games a big step for rugby
17/07/2007 |
 |
 |
The International Rugby Board (IRB) has welcomed the news that the Pan American Sports Organisation (PASO) will include Rugby as a participation sport in the 2011 Pan American Games sporting programme. PASO voted for Rugby’s inclusion at its recent General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro.
The participation of Rugby in the form of Sevens in the Pan American Games has been a goal of the IRB. The confirmation is another significant boost for the sport and the discipline of Rugby Sevens is a very popular inclusion in several major multi-sport events including the Commonwealth Games, World Games, Asian Games and South Pacific Games.
Rugby is experiencing significant growth in the Americas and the IRB currently has 21 Member Countries in the region.
The inclusion of Rugby Sevens in the Pan American Games follows meetings between the IRB and PASO representatives over the last few weeks and a presentation made by PARA Chairman (Pan American Rugby Association) and IRB Council Member, Carlos Tozzi, to the PASO General Meeting. The IRB believes the decision by PASO will further strengthen Rugby’s case for its reintroduction within the Olympic Games sporting programme.
“The IRB is delighted that PASO has recognised the tremendous attraction and value of Rugby and has elected to include the sport within the programme for the 2011 Pan America Games,” said IRB Chairman, Dr Syd Millar.
“This is another exciting development for Rugby Sevens which continues to go from strength to strength and has a proven track record of success at most major international multi-sport championships.
“The final day of the 2006 Commonwealth Games Sevens Rugby competition in Melbourne was played in front of a world record, single day, Rugby Sevens crowd of over 50,000 people as the Telstra Dome was completely sold out. I am sure that Rugby Sevens will prove a successful addition to the Pan America Games,” added Dr Millar.
“We are very proud to be a part of the PASO sports family”, said Mr Tozzi. “The decision reflects the growth of Rugby throughout the continent and we are excited about showcasing Rugby and in particular Sevens in Guadalajara, Mexico,” he added.
(Source: IRB)
|
| Back |
|
|
|
|
 |
