KUALA LUMPUR, July 4 (Bernama) -- Malaysia can still stay in the Premier Division of the Asia Rugby Championship (ARC) if Sri Lanka, the Division One champions, refuse to play the Hibiscus squad in a Challenge Match in January 2025.
Malaysia Rugby (MR) honorary secretary Mohamad Fahmy Abd Jalil said Asia Rugby (AR) have given Sri Lanka until July 31 to decide on the matter.
Malaysia, the bottom-placed team in the Premier Division, will remain in the division if they beat Division One champions Sri Lanka. If they lose, they will be relegated and Sri Lanka will be promoted.
Mohamad Fahmy said this when met after the National Rugby 7s and Agong's Cup draws here today.
MR president Amir Amri Mohamad, who was also present at the event, said only 14 teams will compete in the National Rugby 7s Championship, to be held at the Tengku Muhammad Ismail Rugby Stadium in Kuala Terengganu from July 12-14 as Sabah have confirmed not taking part.
"Most of the teams taking part this time are from the Peninsula. Sabah may not be taking part because it's too close to the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in Sarawak.
"This year's tournament is also the best platform for national coach Nik Safuan Ismade Nik Man to pick the best players and young talents to prepare for the Asia Sevens Series in September,” Amir Amri said.
For the record, the Sabah Rugby Union announced in February that they will stay away from any activities or competitions organised by MR until the national body responds to allegations about at least RM1 million reportedly siphoned from MR's bank account and the proceedings of the elections last December.
Meanwhile, in the draw for the National Rugby 7s Championship, defending champions and hosts Terengganu have been placed in Group D with Armed Forces and Perak.
Group A comprises Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor and Kedah; Group B consists of Putrajaya, Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Kelantan and Negeri Sembilan; and Group C has Sarawak, Pahang and Perlis.
As for the Agong's Cup, defending champions PDRM are in Group A with Selangor, Johor, Armed Forces, Perak and Pahang while Group B comprises Putrajaya, Terengganu, Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan and Perlis.
The Agong's Cup 2024 will begin on September 7 but the date and venue for the final have yet to be decided.
-- BERNAMA
BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; www.bernama.com; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies.
Follow us on social media :
Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio
Twitter : @bernama.com, @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio
Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial
TikTok : @bernamaofficial
