World Cup in Russia?
Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:08
The International Rugby Board (IRB) confirmed on Friday that Russia has formally submitted its tender for the right to host Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013.
The detailed tender documents were hand delivered to the IRB’s Dublin headquarters by Russian Women’s Rugby Sevens captain Anastasiya Mukharyamova.
The submission underlines the Rugby Union of Russia’s ongoing commitment to leverage the showcase tournament and optimize the benefits of the International Olympic Committee’s recent decision to include Rugby Sevens in the Olympic Programme.
Rugby Union of Russia President Vyacheslav Kopiev said: "This tender submission underlines our continued commitment to ignite a new Rugby frontier in Russia through a strategic vision of promotion, participation and growth.
"The hosting of a major global tournament is a key goal in this approach and will provide the impetus for the long term development of the sport, delivering a Rugby legacy that is key to our vision of Russia becoming a major Rugby nation."
IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "The submission of the tender documents marks a significant milestone for the Rugby Union of Russia and also for a sport that continues to generate strong interest in new markets around the world."
Recent competitive performances of Russia’s men’s and women’s Rugby Sevens teams, coupled with the success of the men’s fifteen-a-side team who are on the brink of qualifying for a Rugby World Cup for the first time, are a clear sign that the sport is currently enjoying unprecedented success.
Such interest and success is already being converted into meaningful legacy opportunities for future aspiring players with Moscow set to host the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy 2010 in May and the addition of Rugby Sevens to school sports programmes as a result of recent inclusion in the Olympic Games.
The two other bidding Unions, the Confederação Brasileira de Rugby and the Deutscher Rugby Verband, have confirmed their withdrawal from the process.
The Confederação Brasileira de Rugby has confirmed to the IRB that it has reluctantly withdrawn from the tender process. This will enable the Union to focus on the development of a new six-year strategic plan aimed at reaching out to communities across Brazil to ensure that both the men’s and women’s national sides will be competitive at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
"The Brazil Union has shared its vision for implementation of the strategic plan, working in collaboration with the Brazilian National Olympic Committee and the Rio 2016 Organising Committee. We are looking forward to engaging with all parties to develop the Game in Brazil and ensuring Rugby Sevens’ debut at the Olympic Games is a resounding success," added Lapasset.
The IRB will now review in detail the Rugby Union of Russia tender submission and the Host Union for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 will be selected by the IRB Council at its May 2010 meeting.
Rugby World Cup Sevens features a 24-team men’s and 16-team women’s tournament competing over two or three days. The 2009 edition in Dubai included the first ever women’s tournament, won by Australia, while Wales lifted the men’s title for the first time.
Off the field Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 pushed the boundary for Rugby Sevens once more, shattering all previous broadcast records with the action reaching 141 countries through 29 international broadcasters in 19 languages.
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