News Article

Glaswegian Rugby Player To Represent Pakistan

18/05/2006

SHAHID RAFIQ will make history later this month when he becomes the first Scottish rugby player to represent Pakistan.

The 33-year-old, is the only Scot in a group of six British Muslims, who are travelling to South East Asia to play in two test matches against the Philippines and Guam.

Born in the West End of Glasgow, Shahid has played for both Glasgow University and the Hillhead Jordanhill Rugby Club. He is currently representing Battersea Ironsides in London, where he works as a freelance IT and web consultant. 

He said: “I have been playing rugby for over 16 years and taken part in many big matches including finals at local and regional level. However playing at an international level for Pakistan will be the highlight of my career. The two games in the Philippines will give a good indication of how far the national Pakistani team has progressed in the last couple of years. The tour will also promote the fact that Pakistan is a rugby playing country.”

Shahid is also the Commercial Director of the British Asian Rugby Association (BARA), an organisation which aims to encourage more members of ethnic minorities to take up the sport.

He added: “Rugby is a very popular sport within the community and BARA aims to provide a fun, safe and friendly environment where young players can nurture and develop their skills thus linking their local mainstream clubs. One of the ultimate aims of BARA is to see an Asian player represent Scotland or any of the other home nations.

“In addition the sport is gaining popularity on the Indian sub continent and I have had experience of playing against teams in India and Pakistan. The passion and organisational ability is there, all they need is experience of playing with or against players from the Western hemisphere. The Pakistani Rugby Union has opened the door to Pakistanis world wide and hopefully players like me, who are based in Europe, can contribute to improving the standard of rugby in the country.”

Rugby in Pakistan dates back to 1926 when the Karachi Rugby club was formed.  The Pakistan Rugby Union was established in 2000 and gained membership with the Asian Rugby Football Union in the same year. Pakistan fielded a national team for the first time in 2003. Pakistan is also an associate member of the International Rugby Board (IRB).

For more information on how Shahid fares in a Pakistan shirt please and BARA please visit www.bararugby.com