Asia Rugby postpones rugby tournaments until June 2020

Asia Rugby announced on February 29th 2020 that all of its national rugby tournaments would be postponed until June 2020 due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

Asia Rugby President, Mr Qais Al Dhalai said: “The health and safety of players, fans and everyone working on the events is always Asia Rugby’s highest priority. This prudent decision has been taken in order to help protect the Asia Rugby community and the wider public.”

Asia Rugby said that to minimise risk all AR events would be postponed until the 30th of June 2020. The decision is fully supported by stakeholders and member Unions, they said.

What rugby tournaments are affected?

In a statement on the Asia Rugby (AR) website, they said “Asia Rugby decided to postpone all Asia Rugby competitions scheduled from 1-3-2020 to 30-6-2020 until further notice. ‎This is in response to continued health concerns related to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.”

In our guide on all Asian national team tournaments in 2020, the following tournaments will be affected:

• Asia Rugby Championship Men: (planned for May-June) with HK, South Korea and the Philippines
• Asia Rugby Men’s Division 2: (planned for Feb 26th 2020) with Thailand, China, Pakistan, Chinese Taipei

The dates were never confirmed for the (all 15s rugby):

• Men’s Division 1
• Division 3 West
• Division 3 Central
• Division 3 East
• Division 3 ES
• Women’s Division 1 & 2
• Asia Rugby Under 19 Championship 1 & 2

There was no confirmation if the announcement also affected the Women’s RWC 2021 qualifiers already moved one from March to May and due to be held in Hong Kong.

The Asia Rugby President sought the expertise of Asia Rugby’s Player Welfare and Medical Committee. Dr Mutsuo Yamada, Chairperson of the Committee, and five Zonal Medical Officers offered their expert opinion to the Asia Rugby’s EXCO.

If all tournaments are squeezed into the second half of the year it will be very congested with 7s, 15s national tournament and already postponed international features and social rugby tournaments in Asia.

Asian rugby news 2020

• Asia Rugby appoints new CEO.
• Global Rapid Rugby 2020 includes 3 Asian based teams.
• Thai Wheelchair Rugby team withdraw from 2020 Paralympic qualifiers.
• HK and Singapore Sevens postponed until October 2020.