Trinidad and Tobago failed in their bid to host the 2009 International Rugby Board ( IRB ) Sevens Rugby World Cup North America and West Indies regional (NAWIRA) qualifier which will be held next year.


Bahamas, host of the 2007 NAWIRA/Caribbean 7s, was selected by the NAWIRA executive as host of the 2009 RWC qualifier.


In an immediate reaction to the news, Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union (TTRFU) officials expressed disappointment at the decision, in particular as all the NAWIRA tournaments in 2007 were held in the North Caribbean.

"The NAWIRA executive have made their decision. We will request from them the areas where our bid fell short and seek to address them so that in the future we will have better luck" said T&TRFU vice-president Leslie Figaro.

However, TTRFU secretary Brian Lewis believes that the odds were against T&T as Canada and USA would have had a preference for playing in the Bahamas.

"Canada and USA are firm favorites to qualify for the Sevens World Cup in Dubai, so they may have had concerns about coming to the South Caribbean for such an important event."

But Lewis pointed out that Trinidad and Tobago have hosted a FIFA Under-17 World Cup tournament and numerous FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, as well as ICC Cricket World Cup games and International Test and one day cricket games.


Lewis, however, is predicting a major surprise.

"They can have the qualifiers on Mars, it will not matter. If Canada and USA feel it is a two-horse race they will be in for the shock of their lives. A Caribbean team, either Guyana, T&T or Jamaica, will be in Dubai!"

The NAWIRA executive have asked T&T to consider hosting the 2008 Caribbean Under-20s rugby qualifier and Caribbean women's 15s rugby championship.


T&TRFU officials refused to comment on the NAWIRA request, except to say that T&T did not submit a bid to host the U-20s and women's 15s and therefore would need to fully discuss the NAWIRA request with the Minsitry of Sport.


Source: Trinidad & Tobago Express