Rugby Junior Nagas receive inspiring send-off at British Embassy
The British Ambassador to Laos welcomed the U13 Lao Rugby Junior Nagas team for a reception marking their upcoming trip to the UK.
Group picture of the Junior Nagas with Ambassador Evans
On this sunny Monday afternoon ten little dragons (“naga” being Lao for dragon) were welcomed into the British Ambassador’s residence in Vientiane. This special visit added to the Nagas’ already mile-high excitement about their upcoming visit to the United Kingdom, taking them to the roots of the rugby sport. The team leaves on September 29 for ten exciting days at the TourAid Festival of Rugby in England.
Ambassador Hugh Evans giving his official address
At the reception, Ambassador Hugh Evans highlighted how rugby has brought the UK and Laos closer. “Both Laos and the UK have a long history of rugby and both certainly benefitted in their development from it,” he explained. “This link complements the long-standing positive relationship between our two people. And such intense cultural exchange feeds into the creative partnership that is currently developing between Laos and the UK.” The rugby team will have great experiences in the UK and come into contact with both the history and the modernity of Great Britain. But at the same time the Ambassador advised the children to not only see themselves as observers of the foreign culture, but to indeed act as little Ambassadors of Lao culture in England: “British people will be interested in your stories. They will be keen to learn about your Lao culture and the Lao way of life. So don’t hesitate to show what beautiful Laos has to offer to all the people that you meet in the UK.” Ambassador Evans also acknowledged the Lao Rugby Federation’s work with children and rural communities and emphasised the important role of sports for children’s development. In addition to gaining physical fitness, strength and coordination, sports such as rugby also enhance children’s concentration, evaluation, and analytical skills. It gives children the chance to test themselves and to establish core values and skills including a competitive spirit, social skills, appreciation for others and self-respect. In this context, the Ambassador cited from the recent opening speech at the Rugby World Cup 2015 by Prince Henry of Wales: “I can think of no other sport where the success of the team is shouldered so equally by everyone.”
Ambassador Hugh Evans presenting T-Shirts as a farewell gift
For most Junior Nagas this is the first trip outside their province. At the festival, they will experience British hospitality and culture. The ten Nagas will be staying with families of students from Shrewsbury House School in Surrey just southwest of London. During the festival the Lao players together with their English hosts will challenge nine other teams from India, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Swaziland, Botswana, Hong Kong and Colombia. They will also take part in several activities and trips to explore the roots of rugby, connect to the British way of life and experience the third biggest sports event in the world – the Rugby World Cup 2015.
The Junior Nagas will be in England from October 1-10. If you are interested in the Junior Nagas’ experiences in the UK you can follow their trip on Facebook.
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