KUALA NERUS, Nov 11 – The introduction of the Amir Amri Cup is set to add a new dimension to the Men’s Open competition at the 2026 National Rugby 7s Championship, where 15 teams will vie for the top honours beginning this Friday.
The three-day National Rugby 7s Championship at the Tengku Muhammad Ismail Rugby Stadium will bring together 38 local teams across four categories, with the Men’s Open division expected to draw considerable attention.
The new trophy replaces the Ung Khek Cheow Cup, which had previously been contested in the category, as teams prepare for another demanding campaign in the national sevens competition.
Kelantan Face a Tough Title Defence
Last year’s champions Kelantan will have a difficult task ahead in their title defence after being grouped with Johor, Selangor and Pahang.
Kelantan secured the crown last year with a 17-12 victory over Johor in the final, but the draw has placed the defending champions against three sides with strong credentials in the domestic rugby scene.
Johor, who finished runners-up in 2025, will be particularly keen to go one step further this time, while Selangor and Pahang will also be looking to make their presence felt.
Returning Teams Raise the Bar at the National Rugby 7s Championship
Malaysia Rugby president Amir Amri Mohammad said the return of several teams would provide a different test for the participants, particularly with more sides strengthening their youth development programmes.
He said the returning teams were expected to be more competitive, having invested in nurturing younger players ahead of the championship.
“The return of several teams to this year’s National 7s will bring a different challenge compared to previous editions. Many have made significant investments in developing young players and are now better prepared to compete in the main categories,” he said.
The Men’s Open competition will also feature the return of Perak, Kuala Lumpur and Kedah, although Sarawak have pulled out shortly before the tournament.
Women’s Open and Under-21 Line-Up
In the other categories at this year’s National Rugby 7s Championship, five teams will contest the Women’s Open title, while the Under-21 competitions will feature 10 men’s teams and eight women’s teams.
Terengganu, as hosts, and Johor are the only states entering teams in all four categories, reflecting their participation across the full spectrum of the championship.
Selangor, who enjoyed a successful campaign last year by winning both the Women’s Open and Women’s Under-21 titles, will be represented only in the latter category this time as they attempt to retain their youth crown. Their senior women’s team will not feature in this year’s competition.
Kuala Nerus Venue Ready Despite Monsoon Season
Meanwhile, the Northeast Monsoon season is not expected to significantly affect the tournament, with Amir Amri expressing confidence in the venue’s suitability despite the possibility of changing weather conditions.
He said the stadium, located within the Terengganu State Sports Complex in Kuala Nerus, was in a flood-free zone, while most participating teams would be staying in the surrounding area.
The National Rugby 7s Championship will be held at the venue for the third consecutive year, following its first staging there in 2024. It adds to a busy stretch for sport in Terengganu, which also hosted the inaugural Little Amazon of Terengganu River Challenge in Hulu Berang last month.
