UWED hosted the signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of the Central and South Asia Rugby Alliance

On 15 May 2026, the University of World Economy and Diplomacy in Tashkent hosted the official signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding establishing the Central & South Asia Rugby Alliance (CASA).

Representatives of the rugby unions of Bangladesh, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Uzbekistan participated in the ceremony, marking an important milestone in strengthening regional cooperation in rugby development across Central and South Asia.

CASA was established as a collaborative, non-governing regional alliance aimed at promoting rugby development, regional competitions, institutional cooperation, and sporting exchange among participating unions, while fully respecting the authority and regulatory framework of Asia Rugby and World Rugby.

According to the signed Memorandum, CASA will function as a voluntary coordination platform intended to facilitate partnership and collective initiatives among member unions. The Alliance will operate on the principles of equality, consensus-building, integrity, and alignment with international rugby standards.

The member unions also agreed to cooperate in organizing regional tournaments and development initiatives, including the upcoming CASA Rugby 7s Championship, which will be held in Tashkent on 16–17 May 2026. The tournament will bring together the men’s national teams of India, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan, as well as the women’s national teams of India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan, further strengthening sporting ties and regional exchange within Central and South Asia.

The member unions reaffirmed their commitment to acting in good faith, maintaining transparency, and upholding the principles and regulations of Asia Rugby and World Rugby.

The signing of the Memorandum reflects the shared commitment of the participating countries to strengthening sporting cooperation, fostering regional solidarity, and expanding opportunities for rugby development throughout Central and South Asia.