UAE set ambitious Asian Sevens and Games targets

Martyn Thomas 11:50 09/06/2014
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  • On the ball: UAE Rugby Manager Roloef Kotze.

    The UAE sevens team has been set the target of finishing in the top eight at both the Asian Sevens Series and the 2014 Asian Games.

    Roloef Kotze’s side enjoyed some success as they returned from the Milan Sevens at the end of last month with silverware.

    Following on from an appearance at the Amsterdam Sevens, the tournament in Italy was the second step in the team’s preparation for their debut at September’s Asian Games in Incheon.

    They will play in three legs of the Asian Sevens Series – in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Shanghai – prior to their trip as wildcards to South Korea.

    But UAE Rugby Federation (UAERF) secretary general, Qais Al Dhalai, is eyeing progress in this campaign.

    “As a Federation we are not going [to Korea] to get a medal, we are going there to make a proud appearance as the first ever rugby team to represent the UAE at the Asian Games. We will do our best to come eighth or seventh,” he said.

    “Even being invited as a wildcard, one of our aims is to finish the Asian Sevens Series seventh or eighth.”

    There will be no rest for the UAE after Korea, with a two-legged Asian Sevens Development Series to take place in Dubai and Mumbai in October and November, which will double as a pre-qualifier for the 2016 Olympics.

    Meanwhile, Al Dhalai believes the 15-a-side national team’s relegation to Division II of the Asian 5 Nations will give them the chance to rebuild and become stronger.

    “Fifteen-a-side is not a concern because our aim is to rebuild and reconstruct the team again and have a younger team,” he said.

    The UAE will play in Division II next year with Malaysia, Thailand and Chinese Taipei. They have been denied a first meeting with Qatar as they are not a full IRB member and therefore unable to compete in what will serve as a qualifier for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

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