Asia and The Middle East
Rugby league is a growing sport in Asia and the Middle East, with a large growth in players since the 1990s, some of which have played at the game's elite levels in the National Rugby League and Super League. The game in the Middle East is one of the fastest growing sports with regular internationals played against European and Mediterranean teams. Although Russia has a growing rugby league presence and extends into Asia, the main competition is in Europe.
Countries that meet current World Cup qualification criteria:
| Country | Overview | National team | Status | Governing Body | Main league competition(s) | Best International Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | Rugby league in Japan | Samurais | Affiliate | Japanese Rugby League Association | Japanese Rugby League | Emerging Nations - Pool Round |
| Lebanon | Rugby league in Lebanon | The Cedars | Affiliate | Lebanese Rugby League Federation | Bank of Beirut Championship | World Cup - Pool Round |
Other countries with a history of the game:
| Country | Overview | National team | Status | Governing Body | Main league competition(s) | Best International Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | Non-Affiliate | China Rugby League | ||||
| Indonesia | Non-Affiliate | Indonesia Rugby League | Bali 9's/West Papua | |||
| Israel | Non-Affiliate | |||||
| Pakistan | Rugby league in Pakistan | Observer | ||||
| Palestine | Non-Affiliate | |||||
| Qatar | Observer | |||||
| Saudi Arabia | Observer | |||||
| Singapore | Non-Affiliate | Singapore Rugby League | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Rugby league in UAE | Falcons | Observer | Emirates Rugby League |
Read more about this topic: Rugby League Around The World
Famous quotes containing the words asia and, asia, middle and/or east:
“So-called Western Civilization, as practised in half of Europe, some of Asia and a few parts of North America, is better than anything else available. Western civilization not only provides a bit of life, a pinch of liberty and the occasional pursuance of happiness, it’s also the only thing that’s ever tried to. Our civilization is the first in history to show even the slightest concern for average, undistinguished, none-too-commendable people like us.”
—P.J. (Patrick Jake)
“[N]o combination of dictator countries of Europe and Asia will halt us in the path we see ahead for ourselves and for democracy.... The people of the United States ... reject the doctrine of appeasement.”
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945)
“Unfortunately, life may sometimes seem unfair to middle children, some of whom feel like an afterthought to a brilliant older sibling and unable to captivate the family’s attention like the darling baby. Yet the middle position offers great training for the real world of lowered expectations, negotiation, and compromise. Middle children who often must break the mold set by an older sibling may thereby learn to challenge family values and seek their own identity.”
—Marianne E. Neifert (20th century)
“Ah! on Thanksgiving day, when from East and from West,
From North and from South, come the pilgrim and guest,
When the gray-haired New Englander sees round his board
The old broken links of affection restored,
When the care-wearied man seeks his mother once more,
And the worn matron smiles where the girl smiled before.
What moistens the lip and what brightens the eye?
What calls back the past, like the rich Pumpkin pie?”
—John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–1892)