The Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) is the governing body of rugby in Asia under the authority of the International Rugby Board. Founded in 1968 by eight charter nations, the Union today has 25 member nations in countries across Asia, stretching from the Arabian Gulf to Guam and Mongolia to Indonesia. The aim of ARFU has never changed: "to raise physical and moral standards in Asia by education in the healthy pursuit of Rugby Football and to promote friendship among Asian countries." ARFU also supports regional and pan-Asian tournaments, including women's, men's, and under 19's competition in both sevens and fifteen-a-side rugby. ARFU is also deeply committed to the popularization and spread of the game across the region and supports youth rugby and team, coaching and referee development.