KUCHING: His Excellency Qais Al Dhalai, President of Asia Rugby, expressed admiration for Sarawak’s hospitality and rugby heritage during his first visit to the state.
He also commended the Sarawak Rugby Union (SRU) and the Sarawak Government for successfully hosting this year’s Asia Rugby Council Meeting and Awards Night.
Speaking in an interview with the Sarawak Tribune recently, His Excellency said the experience of being in Kuching had been memorable from the moment he arrived.
“It’s my first visit to Sarawak. I’ve been to Malaysia many times – to Kuala Lumpur, Johor, and Sandakan – but this is my first time here.
“The facility where we are accommodated is something that I really like. My room overlooks the river; you can imagine opening the curtains and seeing the water. It’s a beautiful view, and I think it’s a very nice state,” he said.
“I haven’t had the chance yet to visit many places, but hopefully after the council meeting, on Monday morning, I’ll have more time to visit the main attractions in Sarawak.”
His Excellency said the decision to host the Asia Rugby Council Meeting and Awards Night in Kuching was the result of close collaboration and the willingness of SRU and the state government to welcome a large international delegation.
“First of all, I would like to thank the Sarawak State Government and the Sarawak Rugby Union for extending every opportunity and for their courage to host a large number of delegates,” he added.
“Hosting a council meeting, which is, in other terms, the General Assembly of a continental body, is something significant.
“We were in negotiations with several potential hosts and countries, and finally, the Executive Committee decided to award the hosting of all the meetings to Sarawak.”
He added that Asia Rugby looks forward to a memorable experience in the ‘Land of the Hornbills’ and hopes delegates will return home with fond memories of Sarawak’s culture, warmth and hospitality.
“We are happy to be in Sarawak and we are looking forward to an amazing experience. Insya-Allah, everybody will go back home with great memories for many years to come,” he said.
His Excellency also commended Sarawak’s long association with rugby, noting its more than five-decade history in the sport and the strong community supporting the game through SRU.
He said such local commitment reflects Asia Rugby’s broader vision of expanding the sport’s reach across new regions and engaging emerging communities.
