June 01, 2007	Friday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 15, 1428

ISLAMABAD, May 31: Rugby teams of Pakistan and India that kicked off their play here on Thursday to promote the alien game in the two countries instead promoted more rivalry between two local rugby associations.

Probably the standard and the performance were not up to mark but the small crowd gave the two sides the necessary boost needed to put in their best.

Enthusiasm ran high when college students, boys and girls, shouted Allah-o-Akbar and Pakistan Zindabad. Carrying the flag, a group of boys ran on the track around the field.

But a series of questions surfaced whether the Rugby Union of Pakistan (RUP) claiming to represent the national side, which played against India in the Jinnah Stadium, Sports Complex, was the genuine team to represent the country or was it Pakistan Rugby Union (PRU).

A lot of heat generated outside the ground when players from Islamabad Rugby Football Club (IRFC) challenged the legitimacy of the Rugby Union of Pakistan.

Both RUP and PRU are not officially recognised by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).

PRU is affiliated with the International Rugby Board (IRB). “And we are also registered with Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan,” said IRFC’s Mahmood Shamsher Ali.

IRFC president Yahya Bhatti claimed that the IRB sponsored their international matches. “We represent Pakistan in the outside world and we are in the process of being recognised by the PSB.”

Contending that they should have been the ones playing against India, IRFC players challenged both RUP - the national team - and the Indian side for matches.

Sportsmen spirit prevailed when IFRC players said, “But we are also here to have a good time and support our side.”

However, the Rugby Union of Pakistan, which is headed by MNA Riaz Fatyana, said best players were selected from all over Pakistan to play against India. RUP was expected to be recognised by the PSB soon, claimed one of its representatives Shafique Chaudhary.

Nonetheless, Pakistan after beating the visiting team by a 80-30 in Faisalabad, found their competition a tougher challenge in Thursday’s match. But Pakistan led in both the 40 minutes halves until they won 46-41.