THE future of the Rugby World Cup Sevens is in doubt after organisers predicted a million-dollar loss for this month's inaugural event in Scotland.
Just over a week before the event kicks off at Murrayfield, organisers admitted that they will make a substantial loss, with costs soaring to almost US$2 million and ticket sales taking barely US$1 million.
Hongkong, who inspired the world tournament, are hoping to stage a possible second event in 1997, and are favourites to win the vote should the International Rugby Board decide to continue the tournament.
But with a significant loss predicted, Hongkong Rugby Football Union secretary Peter Else said organisers may be forced to question the validity of such a tournament.
A full house of 37,000 is expected for final day on April 18, but there are likely to be gaps on the two previous days and tickets will be on sale up to the last minute.
''I don't know what targets the organisers have set themselves or what they consider to be a loss,'' said Else. ''But if they do expect a substantial loss, they would most likely think again over whether to hold another tournament.'' But he said Hongkong will not lose out if the IRB decide to scrap the World Cup. He added: ''The Hongkong Sevens are considered the world championships anyway. We already know of a number of countries who are not keen on the World Cup.
''And you can't argue with the quality of the semi-finals line-up in Hongkong last month.'' Champions Western Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia played in those semi-finals, representing what are widely acknowledged as the world's top four sevens nations.