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13th Bangkok International Rugby Sevens
Alan Parkhouse
Thailand will stage the Bangkok International Rugby Sevens from October
26-28 at the Police Stadium.
This year’s sevens will feature men’s and women’s competitions at the Police
Stadium and the boys under-15 “Rugby Challenge” and veterans divisions at
the Bangkok Patana School grounds.
Two top sides from New Zealand, Carlton-Grammar and Linton Army, will be
joined by Australian sides Gordon, Darwin Dingoes, Margaret River Gropers,
Lindfield and a composite side, the Thai Airways Pacific Island Sevens.
Regular regional sides from Laos, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Singapore and the
tiny Pacific island of Niue (population 1,600) will also be represented at
this year’s Bangkok Sevens.
A recent surprise entry has also come in from the Moscow Dynamo club who
have an outstanding record over the past few years after having competed in
Sevens events in Dubai, Costa Blanco and Henley.
Hosts Thailand will be well represented with teams from the Southerners,
British Club, Thai Police, Mahasarakham University, Naga Roi-et Alumni,
Bangkok Japanese, Chiang Mai Suas, RBAC and the Bangkok Bangers.
The good news this year is the addition of property developers Raimon Land
Public Company Limited as the title sponsor. Raimon Land is well known in
Thailand for supporting a number of big sporting events, particularly the
renowned Phuket King’s Cup Regatta and other rugby events.
The Woods Bagot Women’s Sevens will be no less competitive with the
Singapore Blacks, Singapore Bucks and Hong Kong joining the Southerners
Women’s 7’s, Royal Thai Air Force, Bangkok IPE and regulars Yala IPE, a team
sponsored by architectural firm Woods Bagot (Thailand).
Tournament organizer David Dufall says one of the most important aspects of
the Bangkok International Rugby Sevens each year is huge efforts put in to
staging the under-15 Boy’s “Rugby Challenge”, which will be played on two
pitches at the Bangkok Patana School. Dufall says the future of rugby in
Thailand is dependent on bringing Thai youngsters up through the ranks and
the Rugby Challenge gives children from less fortunate locations upcountry
the opportunity to play in a strong tournament within their own age group.
This year’s boys event will be sponsored by UK firm Xpotential Global,
giving boys from Surin, Mahasarakham, Roi-et, Chiang Mai, Lopburi, Surat
Thani, Ubol Ratchathani and Krabi a chance to show their skills in a
top-class tournament.
Thai International Airways are lending their support for the tournament as
the tournament’s official carrier.
In a late development, it now seems certain that Waisele Serevi from Fiji,
arguably the best sevens rugby player the world has seen, will be joining
the Pacific Island Sevens side to play in Bangkok. It is anticipated Serevi
will be able to pass on some of his wisdom and skills to junior Thai players
while he is here.
For more information on the annual Bangkok Sevens, go to the website at www.
bangkoksevens.com or contact David Dufall on 02 2491834 or 081 822 5932.
Chiang Mai to host
World Weight Lifting competition
Maj. Gen. Intarat Yodbangtoey, chairman of His Majesty’s
80th Anniversary World Weight Lifting’s working group, stated that the
competition had been scheduled to take place on the 16 through the 26 of
September at the 700 Year Stadium.
The upcoming competition will be the 76th competition for male weight
lifters and the 19th for female group.
“Chiang Mai is chosen because the province is famed for its beauty, tourist
attraction and arts and culture. Designated as a part of HM 80th
Anniversary’s celebration, the world competition will greatly benefit the
city in terms of tourism and promotion of its arts, culture and economy.
Approximate 1000 athletics from 94 countries will partake in the program
which will be broadcasted on 6 TV channels and allow those living in Europe
and Asia to watch the competition,” described Maj. Gen. Intarat.
The opening and closing ceremonies are designated to reflect Chiang Mai arts
and cultural charms to impress all athletics and spectators.
During the event, the city will be beautified with flowers and decorative
plants to promote the image of a clean city. CMM Reporters
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