Singapore: Singapore is in discussions on staging a British and Irish Lions tour match, international tests and a leg of the rugby sevens series at its new $1 billion (Dh3.67 billion) Sports Hub as part of efforts to become a “home away from home” for the sport’s biggest names.
International Rugby Board officials gathered in the wealthy Southeast Asian city-state this week for their annual meeting, with IRB President Bernard Lapasset leading the praise of Singapore’s new 55,000 National Stadium.
The facility, which can host cricket, rugby, football and athletics events, is the centrepiece of a project Singapore hopes can transform it into a sporting capital.
The Brazilian football team will play Japan in a glamour friendly here on Tuesday, while the top eight women’s tennis players will compete in Singapore at the WTA Finals for the first time later this month.
Rugby also wants a piece of the pie.
“Our role now is to open the door for Asia, with more expansion for rugby,” Lapasset told reporters this week. “Singapore is a fantastic city and they already have a lot of big events and rugby should be a part of that.
“Whether it’s the Sevens World Series, Olympic qualifiers or World Cup warm-up games, there are many opportunities in the coming years for Singapore to be a major player in the rugby world.”
Singapore and Japan will find out next month who has been selected to become the 18th team to join Super Rugby, with the IRB “very excited” that two Asian bids are being considered by the competition’s governing body, SANZAR.
