Asia Rugby Membership and World Rugby Affiliations
The landscape of rugby in Asia is managed by Asia Rugby, the regional governing body that oversees the growth and administration of the sport across the continent. With a diverse array of 36 member unions, the organization coordinates the development of the game, though the relationship between these regional members and the global governing body, World Rugby, varies by nation.
Key Facts
- Asia Rugby consists of 36 member unions.
- 22 members are full World Rugby members, while 6 are World Rugby associates.
- 8 member unions are not currently affiliated with World Rugby.
- Kazakhstan is administered by Asia Rugby despite being associated with European bodies in other sports.
- The UAE became the 100th full member of World Rugby in November 2012.
Understanding Membership Structures
Membership within the rugby world is tiered. While all 36 unions belong to Asia Rugby, not all hold status with World Rugby. World Rugby members are full participants in the global governance of the sport, while World Rugby associates are nations in a transitional phase of membership.
The regional composition of Asia Rugby also includes unique geographical designations. For instance, Guam—an unincorporated territory of the United States located in Oceania—is part of Asia Rugby. Similarly, Indonesia is included as a transcontinental country.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Regional Overlaps and Anomalies
The administration of rugby does not always align with other sporting bodies. Several countries that are geographically in Asia—including Armenia, Cyprus, Georgia, Israel, Russia, and Turkey—are members of Rugby Europe. Conversely, Kazakhstan is administered by Asia Rugby, even though it is often grouped with Europe in other sports, such as football under FIFA.
Detailed Membership Breakdown
The following table provides a comprehensive overview of the unions currently affiliated with Asia Rugby and their status with World Rugby.
| Union | World Rugby Status | Join Year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | Full Member | 1987 | |
| Chinese Taipei | Full Member | 1988 | |
| Hong Kong | Full Member | 1988 | |
| Korea | Full Member | 1988 | |
| Malaysia | Full Member | 1988 | |
| Sri Lanka | Full Member | 1988 | |
| Singapore | Full Member | 1989 | |
| Thailand | Full Member | 1989 | |
| China | Full Member | 1997 | |
| Kazakhstan | Full Member | 1997 | |
| Guam | Full Member | 1998 | |
| India | Full Member | 1999 | |
| Pakistan | Full Member | 2008 | |
| Philippines | Full Member | 2008 | |
| United Arab Emirates | Full Member | 2012 | |
| Brunei | Associate | 2013 | |
| Indonesia | Full Member | 2013 | |
| Uzbekistan | Full Member | 2014 | |
| Lebanon | Associate | 2018 | |
| Iran | Full Member | 2020 | |
| Lao | Full Member | 2020 | |
| Syria | Associate | 2022 | |
| Nepal | Full Member | 2023 | |
| Qatar | Full Member | 2023 | |
| Jordan | Full Member | 2024 | |
| Kyrgyzstan | Associate | 2004 | |
| Mongolia | Associate | 2004 |
Unaffiliated and Former Members
There are 8 members of Asia Rugby that are not affiliated with World Rugby: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Iraq, Macau, Oman, and Palestine. Additionally, Saudi Arabia is an associate member of Asia Rugby. It is important to note that Vietnam is not currently a member of Asia Rugby.
Historically, the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union represented Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. This union was dissolved at the end of 2010 to allow for the creation of separate national unions. This transition paved the way for the UAE to become the 100th full member of World Rugby in 2012.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many member unions does Asia Rugby have?
Asia Rugby has 36 member unions.
Which Asian countries are members of Rugby Europe instead of Asia Rugby?
Armenia, Cyprus, Georgia, Israel, Russia, and Turkey are members of Rugby Europe.
Is Guam part of Asia Rugby?
Yes, Guam is a member of Asia Rugby, despite being located in Oceania.
What happened to the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union?
It was dissolved at the end of 2010 to allow Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to establish their own separate national unions.
Is Vietnam a member of Asia Rugby?
No, Vietnam is not currently a member of Asia Rugby.