Rugby union in Kyrgyzstan is a minor but growing sport.
In 1949, rugby union was forbidden in the USSR during the "fight against the cosmopolitanism".
[1] Kyrgyz rugby, like that of Uzbekistan is mainly confined to the military and universities, although there is a schools programme underway.
[2] Kazakhstan has been a major impetus for rugby growth in the region (Almaty had a team in the Soviet league, and they also have a formidable women's team), and has been a major factor in keeping the game going in its neighbouring countries.
For years, most of Kyrgyzstan's games, formal, or informal were against Kazakhstan, or Kazakh teams.