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Bolivia’s historic first international match in Yacuiba is not to be an isolated match. To the contrary there are plans for additional international competition this year.
The first fixture being developed is for Bolivia to play a match against a developmental side from southeastern neighbor, Paraguay. The fixture is being planned for September.
Americas Rugby News can also confirm that an application has been made for Bolivia to compete in test match rugby in Sudamérica Rugby competitions. Bolivia is seeking to play in the 2019 Sudamérica C tournament (Mayor C), the third division of the South American Championship.
The 2018 edition of the competition was exclusively a Central American tournament involving El Salvador, Honduras, and Panama. Winning the Tri Nations tournament was Panama to be crowned champions for the first time.
Not involved were the Central American countries of Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. Costa Rica, and Guatemala competed in the Mayor B version of the competition, the Sudamérica 4 Naciones B with Peru, and Venezuela.
The 2018 Mayor B tournament was reduced to three competitors due to Venuezula’s players having their visas to Guatemala denied. Also missing were Ecuador who were suspended y Sudamérica Rugby for irregularities.
Ecuador’s ongoing suspension is until further notice. The Federación Ecuatoriana de Rugby (FER) does not have their union structured adequately with it presently not recognized by local authorities or the local Olympic Committee.
Bolivia’s potential involvement in the Sudamérica C tournament in November will thereby be not against South American but Central American opponents. The yet to be finalized competition could potentially involve five countries – Bolivia, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.
