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72874
Thu, 07/30/2009 - 13:24
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http://m.oananews.org//node/72874
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Rugby: Japan to host 2019 World Cup+
DUBLIN, July 29 Kyodo - The International Rugby Board on Tuesday chose Japan as the host of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
As recommended last month by Rugby World Cup Ltd., the tournament's organizing
company, the IRB decided to have England and Japan host the 2015 and 2019 World
Cups, respectively, by a vote of 16-10.
Italy and South Africa had also tendered bids for both tournaments.
Japan will be the first Asian nation to host rugby's showcase event.
''We believe that the succession of England and Japan as host nations will
create new opportunities and help maximize commercial revenues for
re-investment in the Game,'' IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said.
''It is an exciting combination for Rugby World Cup and one which we think will
enable the sport to reach developing rugby markets and therefore contribute to
the continued growth of the game and its values worldwide.''
It was Japan's second attempt to host a Rugby World Cup after missing out on
staging the 2011 event to New Zealand.
The Japan Rugby Football Union has listed nine cities, including Tokyo,
Yokohama and Osaka, as potential venues. It will also discuss with the IRB its
plan to have Hong Kong and Singapore stage part of the tournament.
Japan have been knocked out in the first round in each of the last six World
Cups and have a 1-18 record with one draw.
Japan coach John Kirwan said that as the host nation Japan have to reach at
least the last eight in 2019 and stressed the need to raise the level of the
game at high school and college -- the age group that would be the key national
team members in 2019.
''We need to be a global game. I think there are two major decisions that need
to be made this year to put this game on the global map from a sporting point
of view,'' the former New Zealand wing said.
''One has been made today with the game going to Asia, first time out of the
top eight (nations), the top 10, to Japan and then the next decision is the
Olympics. I think the decision today is going to help the International Olympic
Committee realize that we are doing our best to open up this game,'' Kirwan
said.
In Japan, Prime Minister Taro Aso welcomed the decision and pledged Japan's
utmost efforts to support the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
''I'm very excited and feeling proud as a Japanese,'' Aso said in a statement.
''The government will cooperate as much as possible so that it will be a
stirring event that can offer hope and excitement to many young people.''
==Kyodo
As recommended last month by Rugby World Cup Ltd., the tournament's organizing
company, the IRB decided to have England and Japan host the 2015 and 2019 World
Cups, respectively, by a vote of 16-10.
Italy and South Africa had also tendered bids for both tournaments.
Japan will be the first Asian nation to host rugby's showcase event.
''We believe that the succession of England and Japan as host nations will
create new opportunities and help maximize commercial revenues for
re-investment in the Game,'' IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said.
''It is an exciting combination for Rugby World Cup and one which we think will
enable the sport to reach developing rugby markets and therefore contribute to
the continued growth of the game and its values worldwide.''
It was Japan's second attempt to host a Rugby World Cup after missing out on
staging the 2011 event to New Zealand.
The Japan Rugby Football Union has listed nine cities, including Tokyo,
Yokohama and Osaka, as potential venues. It will also discuss with the IRB its
plan to have Hong Kong and Singapore stage part of the tournament.
Japan have been knocked out in the first round in each of the last six World
Cups and have a 1-18 record with one draw.
Japan coach John Kirwan said that as the host nation Japan have to reach at
least the last eight in 2019 and stressed the need to raise the level of the
game at high school and college -- the age group that would be the key national
team members in 2019.
''We need to be a global game. I think there are two major decisions that need
to be made this year to put this game on the global map from a sporting point
of view,'' the former New Zealand wing said.
''One has been made today with the game going to Asia, first time out of the
top eight (nations), the top 10, to Japan and then the next decision is the
Olympics. I think the decision today is going to help the International Olympic
Committee realize that we are doing our best to open up this game,'' Kirwan
said.
In Japan, Prime Minister Taro Aso welcomed the decision and pledged Japan's
utmost efforts to support the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
''I'm very excited and feeling proud as a Japanese,'' Aso said in a statement.
''The government will cooperate as much as possible so that it will be a
stirring event that can offer hope and excitement to many young people.''
==Kyodo
