Brisk ticket sales for World 7s series in April

It appears that fans here are raring to go for the HSBC World Rugby Singapore Sevens.

The Singapore leg of the series will be held at the National Stadium at the Sports Hub on April 16 and 17 and more than three quarters of the targeted ticket sales have been met.

Speaking to The New Paper on the sidelines of a two-day carnival at Clarke Quay yesterday, Singapore Rugby Union president Low Teo Ping said: "This may be the first year (back), but we're fairly optimistic.

"We're looking at (an attendance of) around 20,000 fans and, so far, we're more than three quarters there.

"It's been very good but now we have gone beyond promoting it as a rugby event alone, and we're at the stage where we want to promote the theme of the event, which is 'Rock, Ruck and Rumble'.

"The carnival at Clarke Quay is to give everybody a peep of what to expect on the weekend itself, which is more than just the rugby."

Yesterday's event gave fans a chance to win tickets to witness the likes of New Zealand's Sonny Bill Williams and South Africa's Bryan Habana in action during the tournament, which will see 16 nations battle it out for the top prize.

The opening day on April 16 will feature the inaugural South-east Asia (SEA) 7s men's and women's final.

The opening stage of the regional event will be held on April 15 at Yio Chu Kang Stadium and Low is hoping the fans turn up and get the chance to support their compatriots.

He said: "Of course, we're hoping both Singapore's men's and women's teams will make it to the final.

"We have left it to them to work towards it, but they've been training hard and we're optimistic about their chances."

One man who knows what it is like to represent Singapore is current 15s international Marah Fahmy, who made his international 7s debut back in 2008 as a 20-year-old.

Fahmy, who was at Clarke Quay, says there will be no lack of motivation among the Singaporean players to succeed at the SEA 7s.

"I think it's every Singapore sportsperson's dream to perform at the National Stadium," said the 28-year-old.

"It's the biggest incentive not just playing in front of a home crowd, but also an international crowd, and it's a big honour for every player."

npsports@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on February 27, 2016.
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