A mini three-team social Tens Rugby Tournament involving the newly formed Shining Rahus, visiting Saigon Geckos and local side PSE Garudas will be held at the Army Field in Russey Keo district on Saturday.
A couple of boys and girls under-18 games are also featured in what is to be a social and fun afternoon that has been branded as “Gecko Hunting” as a mark of appreciation for the visitors from Saigon, who will lock horns with the two local outfits.
The mini tournament signals the launch of the Phnom Penh Social Rugby club which goes by its contact rugby team name as Shining Rahus.
The new club is born out of a merger between Phnom Penh Touch Rugby (Touch Footy), Stade Khmer Rugby Club and the now defunct Sisowath Knights.
The three-team event serves as a warm-up for the Rahus and Geckos ahead of their preparations for the prestigious Indochine Cup in Ho Chi Minh City on May 23.
Shining Rahus are a mix of Cambodian and expat players drawn from nearly a dozen countries. The team has created a Facebook page to encourage players from Phnom Penh desirous of getting involved in rugby union.
Well known local artist Peap Tarr has designed in his own unique style the club’s new logo (pictured) showing the mythological giant Rahu devouring a rugby ball in place of, as in the legend, the moon.
The new club endeavours to play touch rugby, Sevens and Tens apart from the 15s rugby with South East Asian tours on the anvil along side plans to host visiting teams from the region.
The Indochine Cup is a symbol of regional supremacy and Shining Rahus will be up in arms against Saigon Geckos, Hanoi Dragons and Yangon Dragons in what would be the Kingdom’s re-entry to the event after a break of a couple of years.
The action starts at 3pm and will run for another two hours. Entrance for the public is free.
