Rugby Asia President Qais Al-Dhalai has proposed to include the sport in the upcoming South Asian Games, scheduled to take place in Pakistan in 2023.

Qais made the proposal as he met with Bangladesh Olympic Association Secretary-General Syed Shahed Reza in Dhaka Wednesday.

Nepal Olympic Association Secretary-General Nilendra Raj Shrestha was also present.

Qais is in Bangladesh to watch the Rugby series between hosts Bangladesh and Nepal.

Rugby is popular in Southeast Asia and also gaining popularity in the other parts of Asia as well.

Qais requested Shahed and Nilendra to include the sport in the upcoming South Asian Games as the approval of five national Olympic committees is required to include a new sport.

Shahed said the Bangladesh Olympic Association is always helping Rugby to grow more but at the end of the day it is the host nation's call.

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Qais said Asia Rugby will keep helping the Bangladesh Rugby Federation (Union). "Bangladesh is considered a potential market in Asia. South Asia is a big market for us. The national Olympic committees should take more care of Rugby because it is an Olympic sport."

The Asia Rugby president met Pakistan's National Olympic Committee officials recently and he is hopeful that Rugby would be included in the next South Asian Games.

Nilendra said: "Rugby is not yet popular in Nepal but today I am here because of rugby. The seven-a-side version is more interesting. I think it can make a place in the South Asian Games."