AfrAsia International 7’s Rugby Tournament – 2015

Rugby Union Mauritius, in collaboration with AfrAsia Bank and Vision Sport Mauritius, announced today that they will be hosting the third consecutive ‘AfrAsia International 7’s Rugby Tournament’ at Dodo Club, Curepipe on Friday 9th, Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th of October 2015.

With the vision of further developing rugby as a sports in Mauritius, this third edition is now considered as the yearly rugby passionate meet ups from across the region including South Africa, Madagascar, Reunion Island and Republic of Congo.

Rugby is also strongly embedded in the African culture and will see the major participation of 8 teams from South Africa. In addition to the previous two years, women’s full contact and Women Touch team will be participating.

RUM’s President, Mr. Kevin Venkiah comments “Nous sommes heureux et privilégiés d’accueillir les pays de la zone Océan Indien lors de cette première édition de l’AfrAsia International 7’s Rugby Tournament’. Ce tournoi est l’accomplissement de tout le travail accompli par la RUM durant ces dernières années. Le Rugby a réussi à réunir les différentes composantes de la nation Mauricienne à travers ses valeurs : respect, loyauté, exemplarité, générosité, tolérance et pluralité Nous voudrions à cette occasion remercier tous nos partenaires et particulièrement ‘AfrAsia Bank’ sans qui ce tournoi n’aurait pas eu lieu et aussi ‘Sealegs’, notre principal partenaire. Nous souhaitons à tous bonne chance pour ce tournoi.”

Emerging as an international tournament of reference in the Indian Ocean, 4 players of the South African 7s’ Teams, Blitzbokke will be the ambassadors of the tournament and attend the various matches. AfrAsia Bank, in partnership with RUM will be hosting rugby clinics the week prior to the tournament with these coaches. These clinics will be targeted towards underprivileged children in order to empower their sports skills and further confirms the Bank’s commitment to the socio-economic development of Mauritius.

“We are thrilled to be hosting this tournament for the third consecutive year as this sport continues to spread and gain value on the island. Our contribution to making Rugby a well-known and recognized sports in Mauritius does not stop with this tournament as we work closely with the RUM to provide support and personal involvement for the development and sustainability of the sports through their CSR programmes.

Rugby is synonymous of collaborative teamwork, innovative play, strategic thinking and is of a highly competitive nature, which fits perfectly within AfrAsia Bank’s philosophy. Our involvement in this sport offers our clients the opportunity of experiencing the thrill and excitement rugby matches can bring,” explains Thierry Vallet, Acting CEO and General Manager of AfrAsia Bank.

The opening ceremony will take place at Villa Caroline Hotel, Flic n Flac as from 18h00 on Thursday 8 October 2015, and the Awards Ceremony will be held at the Dodo Club on Sunday 11th October 2015 after the finals at 17h00.

The participating teams are:

8 Teams from South Africa (Highveld Hienas, Lowveld Leopards, Hoghveld Hawks, Western Wolves, Vikings, Rams, Rob Ferreira, SA Platteland)
National Men’s Team of Reunion
National Women’s Team of Reunion
National Men’s Team of Madagascar
National Women’s Team of Madagascar
National Men’s Team of Mauritius
National Women’s Team of Mauritius
National Men’s Team of Democratic Republic of Congo
National Women’s Team of Democratic Republic of Congo