KUCHING: Malaysia has great potential to join Asia’s top rugby teams like Japan and Hong Kong, thanks to strong grassroots support and growing rugby development in states like Sarawak.
Asia Rugby Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Benjamin van Rooyen, highlighted Malaysia’s expanding grassroots base and the proactive efforts by state unions such as Sarawak Rugby Union (SRU) as key reasons for optimism.
“We are celebrating the fact that Japan is a high-performance union – the game has grown and been established for more than 100 years.
“Then there is Hong Kong, China, which has already qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. We also have a very strong women’s team from Japan. So, in those areas, we are fine.
“But when it comes to Malaysia, I say: don’t stop dreaming.
“I have seen the passion firsthand, I’ve been to grassroots tournaments in Johor, with hundreds of children playing and coaches dedicated to nurturing their skills,”he told Sarawak Tribune in an interview recently.
He urged Malaysia to keep players in the game longer and continue investing in coach education to support rugby’s growth.
He also praised Sarawak Rugby for training more qualified coaches through World Rugby-accredited courses held during the seminar week.
“I believe Malaysia rugby has flair. It’s very exciting to watch. The boys like to step, and the girls are passionate about the game.
“Malaysia rugby has a good chance to be among the top three to five teams in Asia, especially in sevens rugby,” he added.
While rugby in Sarawak is not yet as popular as badminton or football, recent achievements, particularly by women teams, indicate a promising start.
“Our job is to make sure that the message goes out on social media channels.
“This is something I always remind unions. We don’t see the world like this; we see the world through a screen,” he added.
“So, I encourage everyone to keep this momentum going. Get the kids outside to see how rugby in Sarawak is healthy and active, with qualified coaches”
He also noted the broader impact of the event, with over 40 delegates attending the Asia Rugby Executive Council Annual General Meeting (AGM), who have never been to Sarawak before.
“They will go home with good memories. But now it’s Sarawak Rugby and Malaysia Rugby’s job to showcase that Asia is coming to Sarawak,” van Rooyen said.
He encouraged rugby unions across Asia to leverage digital platforms to share their stories and promote rugby’s growth.
Beyond rugby, van Rooyen expressed his admiration for Kuching’s local culture and cuisine, praising the region’s famous Sarawak laksa and local coffee.
“This is one of the places, where I can easily see myself retire and live here forever.
“Sarawak laksa, yes, I’ll have that every morning for breakfast. I like the sticky rice and the satays,”he said.
