Bradford-based Ikram Butt wants rugby league to get a toehold in South Asia.

Having made significant advances in Europe over the past two years, Butt, who is managing director of BARA (British Asian Rugby Association), sees Pakistan as a potential growth area.

Before jetting out there, where he is undertaking some rugby league taster sessions, Butt met up with Great Britain coach Tony Smith.

The South Asian initiative is being supported by Leeds Metropolitan University, while the Rugby Football League and Rugby League European Federation (RLEF) have also been tapped into for advice.

RLEF development executive Kevin Rudd has assisted with some practical examples of exercises already underway in other developing rugby league countries.

Bradford Council's Sports and Leisure Service's community development officer Butt, who is in Islamabad, said: "This current activity is a continuation of discussions with Kevin about development being triggered by coach education that ties into Carnegie and their coaching for life' programme, which we were already working on for rugby league.

"We are now hoping to develop that initiative in the whole of South East Asia and to take rugby league forward, in particular, in Pakistan.

"While I am out here over the next few weeks, I am taking the opportunity to deliver some basic rugby league coaching taster sessions to some schoolteachers and players who have been interested in the game for quite some time.

"There is a club already training with rugby league techniques in Islamabad and it works quite well. One of their guys there has just graduated from Leeds Met with an MBA.

"He was a former captain of the Pakistan rugby union side but while he was over in Leeds studying he played league and has taken his knowledge, experience and skills back to Pakistan."

Butt, who played league professionally for Leeds, Featherstone and London, added: "The RFL have been very supportive, with their coach education department providing materials, and we really hope to take things forward.

"It is tough setting up an unfamiliar sport here but that's what makes it such an exciting challenge. We can see a time when UK university or club sides tour over in the region and when there is domestic competition.

"We hope to officially launch the Pakistan Rugby League Federation next March or April with a tour from the UK.

"BARA has been a springboard, especially our tag-time' association with Carnegie, which has seen rugby league sessions delivered in schools here."

Butt's vision was endorsed by Peter Rodgers, Leeds Metropolitan University's Dean of Sporting Partnerships.

He said: "It is all about making sure youngsters develop as people through sport. There are wonderful examples within rugby league about commitment to the communities they serve and the hard work they put into those communities, especially compared to some other sports.

"That aspect is one of the reasons we back the code as a university and support Ikram, in particular, in areas where he is making a difference."

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