S’pore makes IRB Sevens bid

SINGAPORE — The signs are all so positive — encouraging crowd figures for the recent World Club 10s amid the perfect backdrop of the new National Stadium — and that’s why the Singapore Rugby Union (SRU) is confident that, come October, the city will be penned in as a venue for the International Rugby Union’s (IRB) Sevens World Series.

The SRU’s bid to host one leg of the series was lodged with the IRB in Dublin before the June 27 deadline, and it is believed 24 countries have expressed their intention to become host. The IRB, meanwhile, is prepared to make it a 10- or 12-leg championship.

The 2013/2014 series had nine stops — Australia, Dubai, South Africa, the United States, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, Scotland and England — and it ended in May with New Zealand crowned the champions.

“I really don’t know how many countries have lodged an official bid but I am sure there will be competition. Kenya, Spain and Germany are said to be interested,” said SRU vice-president Jonathan Leow, who thinks the new National Stadium at the S$1.33 billion Sports Hub could tilt the vote in the Republic’s favour.

“The facilities at the new National Stadium are world-class and so much better than any of the stadiums around the world. And don’t forget, the IRB awarded Singapore the host’s job in 2002 and from 2004 to 2006. It was only when the old National Stadium was going to be demolished that SRU could no longer bid to host the series.”

The next step towards the host job, said Leow, will be a visit to the venue by IRB officials, should Singapore get shortlisted.

“And in October, when the IRB Council meets in Singapore, which we have offered to host, a final decision will be made,” Leow added.

It will cost the SRU an estimated S$4 million to S$7 million to host a leg of the IRB Sevens, covering airfares of the 16 to 20 participating teams, food, lodging and transportation as well as rental of the stadium and the IRB’s sanction fees.

An industry source said that given the prevailing market sentiment and the potential sponsorship available in Singapore, it will be tough to raise the funds needed. “The event needs government support, no doubt about that,” said the source, who chose to remain unnamed.

The SRU, however, is confident the event can be hosted successfully.

“We have done our projections and we know where we stand at the end of the day,” said Leow.

“To be honest, we are not thinking of making tonnes of money. What we want to do is to host events which will bring in some revenue for the association and which will be used to sustain the development of rugby in Singapore and to grow the game.

“The potential is there for Singapore to establish itself as an international rugby host. Look at the World Club 10’s, encouraging crowds for a tournament which is in its first year.”

Added Leow: “People say the Hong Kong Sevens is the benchmark with capacity crowds of 20,000 to 25,000 on match days. Yes, but it has a rich history.

“But Singapore and its new stadium will grow in reputation too as we host international rugby tournaments and compared to Hong Kong with its expatriate crowd, Singapore rugby has the support of the locals on top of the expat crowd.”