Captain Aga Khan Hussain has come back a happy man, despite India losing all three matches it played. India making its appearance for the first time in an international event gained in experience and exposure, said Hussain.

``We have a long way to go. Obviously, you can not expect to win in your first ever international,'' said Hussain, a sentiment echoed by the senior vice president of the Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU), Pramod Khanna.India lost to Singapore (0-85), Thailand (6-90) and China (13-45) and finished at the bottom of their pool. China, making their first appearance as well, finished one spot in front.

``China had spent 18 months preparing for this event whereas we got only one week of workout in Sri Lanka prior to the event,'' said Hussain.

But the performance has been encouraging, he added. And the team -- sponsored by Famous Grouse --has been noticed, and has received invitations for many tournaments.

Khanna said the International Rugby Board had given 4000 pounds each to five countries which could not afford to participate in the competition, China, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and India, and has given indications of getting involved in the development of the sport in this country.

With the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) giving recognition to the IRFU, the next step would be to get recognised by the Sports Authority of India (SAI). ``This would bring the Services as participants and that would help popularise the sport,'' added Khanna.

Another to come out in flying colours from the event is Salim H Tyebjee, who officiated a friendly match in Singapore. The Asian Rugby Football Union Referees' Society chairman, who supervised his performance, judged him as ``potentially world class'' though ``lacking in experience''.

Tyebjee will sooner or later gain this experience as he has been invited to the Asian Games at Bangkok and thento Manilla and Hong Kong for some tournaments there. Though he is not sure of going to Bangkok, he is likely to go for the latter two.

Though the Indian team is likely to go for the Malaysia 10-a-side in the third week of March, its participation in the Hong Kong 10-a-side the subsequent week, has not yet been finalised.