Debutantes shine at KLK Borneo 7s
- nabalunews
- 9 minutes ago
- 3 min read
20 April 2025
SANDAKAN: The KLK Borneo Sevens 2025 concluded on a high note, with both the men's and women's titles claimed by first-time participants in an exhilarating finale at the Eagles Rugby Club over the weekend.
Shaheen 7s from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerged victorious in the men's category, while Hua Gan Guo Ji RC from China took home the women's title, marking both teams' debut in this prestigious tournament.
In the men's final, the host team, Borneo Eagles, engaged in a high-octane, 20-minute clash against Shaheen 7s. The Eagles led 14-10 at halftime, having scored two tries and made two conversions, while the visiting team responded with two tries of their own.
Shaheen 7s came out strong in the second half, scoring early and sealing their win with a decisive try in the closing moments, edging out the Eagles 24-19.
Shaheen 7s representative Sultan Ahli described the experience as intense yet rewarding. “It was truly fantastic to be part of this tournament. I told the boys on Day One that we weren’t here just to make up the numbers; we were here to perform. And we did just that,” he said.
In the women’s final, Hua Gan Guo Ji RC delivered a commanding performance, defeating the Borneo Flyers 22-10. Both teams showcased their top runners, but the Chinese side maintained control throughout the match.
Team representative Wang XinYao expressed pride in their victory. “It is an honour for us to compete at this venue. Thanks to the efforts of our teammates, we managed to win the championship,” she said.
When asked about the possibility of returning to defend their title next year, Wang noted that it would depend on her club’s schedule. “We will be heading back to China to prepare for the National Games. Whether we return next year will depend on discussions between our club and the organisers here,” she added.
As champions, both Shaheen 7s and Hua Gan Guo Ji RC were awarded the Challenge Trophy along with USD 5,000 in prize money. Runners-up Borneo Eagles and Borneo Flyers each received USD 2,000.
Sandakan Member of Parliament Vivian Wong presented the prizes to the winners.
Despite a reduced number of teams this year and some initial weather disruptions, organising chairman and President of Eagles Rugby Club Sandakan, Vela Tan, described the tournament as a resounding success. “It has been a fantastic tournament. The matches were closely contested, the standard was exceptionally high, and that is precisely what we aimed for: to be one of the best club Sevens tournaments in Asia,” he said.
Tan praised the performance of the debutant teams, particularly Shaheen 7s. “This may have been the UAE’s first foray into this part of the world, and they have done incredibly well. Congratulations to them,” he remarked.
He also noted significant interest in the junior division, adding that plans are underway to enhance the youth component of the tournament. “We hope to launch an international Under-18 championship for Asia here in Sandakan next year as part of the Borneo Sevens. If it comes to fruition, we could see many Asian countries participating, marking a significant step forward for youth rugby in the region,” he stated.
