The UAE National and Shaheen 7s will play at this weekend’s Chennai 7s, with the goal for both teams abundantly clear – progression.
– UAE Rugby to field two teams in this weekend’s Chennai 7s
– UAE rugby federation honours Arabian Knights founder Neil Palmer
– Zurich Corporate Touch 6s kicks off Saturday in Dubai
The aim of the UAE Rugby Federation for both teams is for the national team to work towards becoming a part of the Asia 7s circuit and for the Emirati youngsters playing for the Shaheen side to gain more international exposure and continue their development.
The Asian Rugby Football Union-backed event is certain to provide two days of exciting regional rugby.
Alongside the Asian Pre-Olympics qualifier for the national team, an ARFU Development 7s tournament will be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on March 7 and March 8. It will be the first time UAE rugby has been in a position to field two teams, in the same series, outside of the UAE.
Qais Al Dhalai, UAE RF Secretary General, said: “The Chennai 7’s is a milestone for UAE rugby. We are very proud to see the efforts of our team and our supporters come to fruition.
“We are excited to see young, talented Emirati players successfully move through the HSBC Player Pathway Programme, to playing Dubai Airports Shaheen development games against Fiji and in the recent Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby 7s, to now representing their country as part of the Emirates Airline National 7s team in an international tournament (overseas).”
This is what the @uaerugby team are heading off for tomorrow. A massive test for them @thegrilldubai @GrahamClews pic.twitter.com/7vB63jPufr
— Gulf Rugby Paper (@GulfRugbyPaper) March 4, 2015
“We are equally excited to see the next generation of young Emirati players join Dubai Airports Shaheen and get the thrilling taste of competing for their country at an international event.
“They need international exposure so they can play in the future for the senior team.”
Emirates Airline National 7s team will face India, Iran, Laos and Uzbekistan in the Asian Pre-Olympics Qualifying tournament, while the Dubai Airports Shaheen development team will compete against Bangladesh, India A and Nepal in the ARFU Development 7s.
Al Dhalai added: “Our target is very clear. The seniors need to win their tournament which will secure a place on the Asia circuit. The winner will be Asia’s 12th team at the Asia 7s series. Our only goal is to win.”
