The cream of the region’s netball players will go head to head from March 7 in Bahrain as Dubai A look to reclaim the title they last won in 2011.
While Abu Dhabi A will once again be the team to beat as they look to win a third straight title at the Inter-Gulf Netball 2014.
Taking place over two days, over 30 teams from the region will congregate for a tournament that began in 1986.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Al Ain, Fujairah, Doha, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are all sending teams either for the social or the competitive pools.
In the competitive pool, games will be played on a round-robin basis. Following this, the top four teams will go into the semi-finals of the Cup competition, the next four teams will go into the semi-finals of the Plate competition and a further four will go into the semi-final of the Bowl competition.
In the social pool, each pool will play on a round-robin basis on the first day. Teams will then be ranked and those lying in 16th and 17th place will playoff to decide who enters the quarter-finals.
The first eight will go into the quarter-finals of the Shield competition and the second set of eight will go into the quarter-finals of the Saucer competition.
The UAE has traditionally dominated the tournament with either Dubai or Abu Dhabi winning the title since 2000.
While Dubai are historically the strongest team – they won six straight trophies between 2000 and 2005 – Abu Dhabi have ruled the roost in recent years, winning the last two competitions and four of the last five editions.
However, Dubai are determined to emerge victorious this year and will be sending some 60 players making up four competitive teams (Dubai A, B, C and D), plus one Social and Vets team as they look to win back the title.
Dubai have certainly been pushing their players hard having been alternating training sessions between evening and afternoons to allow everyone to experience the afternoon heat that they will face during the tournament in Bahrain.
Dubai A in particular are keen to put the disappointment of the last two years marginal losses in the final to arch rivals Abu Dhabi A behind them.
Both the 2012 final in Al Ain and the 2013 final in Abu Dhabi went to extra time with Dubai A and Abu Dhabi A having matched each other, goal for goal.
In both finals Abu Dhabi managed to hold their one goal lead in extra time to clinch the title.
Dubai A Captain, Tracey Kelly from New Zealand said: "We are all very excited about attending Inter Gulf 2014 in Bahrain. The team have been training hard, looking sharp and are in fantastic form for what looks to be a fabulous weekend of netball.”
While Chantel De Villiers, chairwoman of the Abu Dhabi side, is hoping her girls can get the much-coveted three-peat.
“It’s definitely very important for Abu Dhabi to keep up their reputation, it’s always been a struggle between Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the finals.
“We have been training around twice a week and had a few extra games and the opportunity to play the UK U19s, so the girls have been Champions: Abu Dhabi eye third title. working really hard.”
