DUBLIN--6 Jun--PRNewswire-AsiaNet/InfoQuest The 2008 Bingham Cup (commonly known as the 'Gay Rugby World Cup') sponsored by Irish bookmaker Paddy Power kicks-off in Dublin next Friday, 13 June 2008. The tournament is the second largest biennial amateur 15s rugby tournament in the world. The 2006 cup which took place in New York was the biggest yet. Thirty teams drawn from clubs around the world competed in the three day tournament. The Dublin tournament is expected to exceed these figures with over 800 participants already registered for the competitionwhich will take place at the DCU campus over the weekend of June 13 - 15. The Paddy Power Bingham Cup is the biggest International team sports event to take place in Ireland 2008 and Paddy Power's sponsorship of the event represents the largest commercial sponsorship of an Irish based gay event. Paddy Power expressed his delight with the partnership: "It's a real honour to associate ourselves with what is the biggest team sports event to be held in Ireland this year. It is also the biggest ever sponsorship of an Irish gay-focussed event and we are really looking forward to getting behind the lads to ensure that the 2008 Bingham Cup will be the biggest and mostsuccessful yet" Commenting on the sponsorship, Richie Whyte, Tournament Director said: "Paddy Power have an innovative and risk taking approach to the market. We are delighted that they see the Bingham Cup as a good fit for them both in terms of its sporting potential and public profile. We expect our partnership to enhance an already great tournament and help to make it the biggest andbest tournament yet." Paddy Power have installed Australian side the 'Sydney Convicts' as their 15/8 favourites for victory in the tournament. They have also reported a gamble on English team the 'King's Cross Steelers' which has seen their odds tumble from 8/1 to 4/1 third-favourites. Bingham Cup Winner Paddy Power Betting 15/8 Sydney Convicts 3/1 San Francisco Fog 4/1 King's Cross Steelers 11/2 Gotham Knights 8/1 Los Angeles Rebellion 8/1 Manchester Village Spartans 10/1 Washington Renegades 14/1 Seattle Quake The competition will take place at the DCU Sports Complex, Dublin in June 12th - 15th 2008. Full details for the event, including team draws an be found on http://www.binghamcup.com. For further information contact: Ken Robertson Communications Manager Paddy Power plc +353-1-4045915 +353-87-8528718 Source: Paddy Power Plc --Distributed by AsiaNet ( www.asianetnews.net )--