File photo shows Abdul Karim (fifth right) presents the Boy’s U-18 championship trophy to SMK Sacred Heart captain last year as Song (third from left) and Wong (third from right) look on.
SIBU: The 5th edition of the Sibu 10-aside Br Albinus Rugby Challenge Cup is set for another breakthrough when it kicks off at Stadium Tun Zaidi on Aug 3.
For the first time teams from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Brunei will take part in the tournament held to honour the memory of the late Sacred Heart School principal who was instrumental in developing rugby in Sibu and Sarawak during the 1960s and 70s.
For the second consecutive year there will be three categories: Men’s Open, Ladies Open and Boy’s U-18.
“It took us a great effort to come up with three categories and we are grateful to all the teams who have played their vital role in making the event interesting,” Sibu Rugby Union (SDRU) chief coach Michael Ting told thesundaypost.
For the Men’s Open, 17 teams including Perak Navy Orca and Sabah Oscar Warriors have confirmed participation.
“Sabah Oscar, powered by two Fijian, is the champion of KK Rugby League and have also lifted several titles in the past two editions of Song Keng Hai 7-aside held in Kuching.
“Perak Navy Orca is also a formidable team.
“Last year it bagged the 4th position in the Kuching 7-aside,” Ting revealed.
He believed the teams from Sabah and Perak and also local teams from Betong, Kuching, Bintulu, Mukah, Miri and host Sibu would make it competitive.
“There is no favorite team. Expect the surprise and the unexpected during the two-day championship,” he added.
The Ladies Open has already attracted nine teams so far including Perak Ladies Orca.
There were only five teams last year.
For the Boy’s U-18, five teams have registered so far including the Black Arrow from Brunei.
Organisers are targeting at least eight teams to be divided into two groups.
“We may increase the prize money (currently RM3,000 for the champion) but all that depends on SDRU patron Dato Sri Bartholomew Wong and he will have the final say,” Ting said.
Organisers hope to see Minister for Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Sarawak Rugby Union president Richard Song attend the event.
Meanwhile, SDRU announced that the Bernard Ting-Allan Richard Wan-Moh Ung Bing Memorial Cup will be scrapped this year due to the clash with Ramadan.