Third Bro Albinus Challenge Cup Rugby Championship begins tomorrow
SIBU: The third edition of the Rev Bro Albinus Challenge Cup Rugby Championship will see 14 teams fighting it out at SMK Sacred Heart, beginning tomorrow.
Sibu Division Rugby Union (SDRU) chief coach Michael Ting said: “The late Bro Albinus was so instrumental about rugby and the least the rugby lovers here could do is to support the event to reciprocate what Bro Albinus had contributed towards the development of the sport.”
Kuching is sending six teams, Mukah (two), Bintulu (one) and Sibu (five).
“Sibu Swan won the last two editions but this time around, Sibu Swan is not assembling any team, leaving the title race wide open,” Ting said.
Nevertheless, Ting believed that SDRU, powered by the two Fijians Iowane Sovatabua and Sekove, would have a slight advantage over other teams.
“However, nothing is definite and there is everything to go for at the championship,” he said, adding five of the teams are newly assembled teams eager to make their presence felt.
Also for the first time, the champion wi l l bring home RM3,000, the first runner-up will get RM2,000 and second runner-up will get RM1,000.
SDRU pat ron Dato Sri Bartholomew Wong is expected to grace the opening at 10am tomorrow while Sarawak Rugby Union president Richard Song is expected to officiate at the closing ceremony on Aug 6 at 4pm.