Sevens organisers to lure a Brazilian club
Organisers of the international sevens will target a top Brazilian club next year to help expand the tournament's popularity. The event could also feature more English Premiership sides, according to sevens committee chairman Tony Bratsanos.
The HKFC Philips Lighting International Sevens, which was won by Japanese club Urawa Red Diamonds at the Hong Kong Football Club at the weekend, attracted teams from Scotland, England, the Netherlands, Japan and South Africa
Sevens committee chairman Tony Bratsanos said more overseas teams could take their place in next year's tournament, making the event an even better spectacle. 'If we can improve the quality by bringing out more international teams with reputations, that will work in our favour,' said Bratsanos. 'We have a contract with our main sponsors to bring out a South American team next year. It may be an Argentinian club, but we will probably go for a Brazilian side first because the public are well aware of them.'
Bratsanos said that English Premiership sides Newcastle, Tottenham and West Ham had expressed an interest in playing at the sevens, although it wouldn't be at the expense of local sides.
'The local teams are very important, so they will still be in it,' Bratsanos said. 'It was good to see Sun Hei in the competition, for example. We might re-invite Kaizer Chiefs from South Africa again. They were a joy to watch.'
Organisers also plan to invite one more 'all-stars' team for the masters tournament, which would mean three sides featuring name players from yesteryear.
