Amman, Nov. 9 (Petra) -- Secretary-General of the Jordan Rugby (JR), Abdulaziz Abu Khalaf, affirmed on Monday that the successful hosting of the Asia Rugby Sevens Trophy in Aqaba strengthens Jordan's standing on the Asian sports landscape and demonstrates its capacity to organize continental championships, revealing the federation's intent to host the tournament's next edition.

The tournament, which recently concluded in Aqaba, saw both the Jordanian men's and women's national teams secure silver medals. The Bahraini national team claimed the men's title, while the Lebanese team clinched the women's title following a competition marked by broad Asian participation and high technical standards.

Abu Khalaf disclosed the federation's plan to work toward hosting the next edition of the Asia Rugby Sevens Trophy in Aqaba in October 2027. This initiative aims to solidify the event within a sustainable sports agenda through ongoing activities to popularize the sport locally and continentally.

He noted that the recent edition was praised by participating teams and Asia Rugby representatives as one of the best-organized iterations of the tournament, attributing the success to collaborative efforts despite a preparation window of only six weeks.

Abu Khalaf highlighted that both national teams reaching the finals and securing silver medals reflect the sport's development over the past five years and the federation's efforts to enhance national team performance in Asia. He praised the performance of the women's team in particular, noting that reaching the final in only their second Asia Cup appearance represents a major achievement.

Addressing operational challenges, Abu Khalaf pointed out that the lack of a dedicated rugby pitch remains an obstacle to developing the sport, noting that the domestic league has been suspended for three years, affecting local competition and player development. He affirmed that the federation will continue coordinating with relevant authorities to secure dedicated facilities and reactivate local competitions.

He commended the cooperation of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) and Ayla Oasis, stating that the partnership between the sports and tourism sectors delivered a comprehensive experience for participants through a rugby festival combining athletic competition with family and entertainment activities.

Abu Khalaf expressed gratitude to ASEZA, Royal Jordanian, the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB), Ayla Oasis, the Jordan Olympic Committee (JOC), and corporate sponsors led by Isuzu, Samsung, Ingot, and Infinity for their support in ensuring the event's success.

//Petra// AF

09/11/2026 20:43:21