Wednesday, Sep 16, 2015

Dubai: The UAE Rugby Federation (UAE RF) on Tuesday announced details as to which teams will play in the inaugural Dubai Airports Sevens event at the Sevens Stadium on October 9.

The annual tournament has been designed to expose emerging teams to international competition against sides of similar skill and fitness. Four teams will participate in the inaugural tournament — the Dubai Airports UAE Shaheen side, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and an all-Qatari national team.

“We [the UAERF] worked very closely with the Qatar Rugby Federation during August to secure a full Qatari national team and we are very pleased to be able to announce their participation in the Dubai Airports Sevens,” said UAERF board member Mohammad Shaker.

“Adding this tournament to the calendar is a very important step in the ongoing development of our Emirati players,” said UAE Shaheen coach Apollo Perelini. “It was very evident from Shaheen’s participation in Chennai [an Asian pre-Olympic qualifying tournament that was held in March] that there is a place [for them], but we need to continually expose them to teams of a similar standing,”

Anita Mehra, vice-president of communications and business development at Dubai Airports said: “We are happy with the support and participation the tournament is receiving as this will add to the popularity of the event and also offer the Shaheens with a chance to test their mettle against quality competition. We will be rooting for them and we are positive they will make the country proud,” she added.

The tournament also serves as the first Arab Rugby Sevens Tournament held under the auspices of World Rugby, Asia Rugby and the newly established Arab Rugby Federation (ARF).

Qais Al Dhalai, UAE RF secretary-general said: “The EGM [extraordinary general meeting] for the new ARF will be held in Dubai on October 1 with more than nine Arab rugby unions in attendance. This is an exciting and integral step in UAE rugby’s mandate to assist and drive development of rugby among the indigenous population of our neighbouring and emerging countries. We look forward to welcoming these teams to Dubai and to a great day of sevens rugby,” he added.

Staff Report

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