PETALING JAYA, Malaysia Rugby (MR) have set the national 15-a-side team a target of winning at least one of the three matches to enhance their chances of staying in the Premier Division of the Asia Rugby Championship (ARC).
MR president Amir Amri Mohamad is confident that the national rugby team, nicknamed Hibiscus, can overcome the challenge of Premier Division newcomers the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Dubai in their final match on June 21. The UAE gained promotion after winning Division One last year.
“I am also confident our team can give South Korea a tough fight in the opening Premier Division match in Incheon on Saturday (June 1).
“We can also count on home support when we face Hong Kong on June 8. So, I hope the players will give their best and try to spring a surprise,’ he said.
Amir Amri said this at a media conference after the signing of the sponsorship and strategic collaboration agreement between MR and local sports agency Enervive Sports here today.
In the previous edition, the Hibiscus
were trounced 27-3 by South Korea and 88-9 by defending champions Hong Kong to finish bottom of the pile without a win.
Meanwhile, under the agreement, MR will receive RM50,000 a year in sponsorship from Enervive Sports through the EV sports brand, including official sponsorship of referee uniforms in national championships, in addition to the local referee development programme.
Amir Amri described the collaboration as crucial to further enhancing the quality of rugby, especially that of local referees.
Enervive Sports chief executive officer Shahrizin Shaharudin, meanwhile, hopes the collaboration with MR would signify its commitment to raising the professionalism of rugby.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency