UAE rugby chief Ian Bremner insists he still has full confidence in the national programme despite the UAE dropping out of the top division in the Asian 5 Nations (A5N) earlier this month.
After losing all four games in this year’s tournament, the UAE no longer sit at Asian rugby’s top table as an ageing amateur squad, eligibility and constant roster changes undermine the country’s efforts to improve.
Speaking at the end-of-season UAE recap on Wednesday, Bremner spoke of how the “cruel” format of the A5N was more to blame for the UAE’s relegation than any personnel or systemic problems.
“I would admit to being disappointed as everyone else was about that night in the Philippines, that was inevitable,” said Bremner. “We have a challenge with the availability of players and that chips away at things, and the eligibility of players. But the guys want to be part of the programme now because it is a good programme. I have every confidence in that.”
While Bremner is happy with the direction of his organisation, he is unsure whether promotion back to the top division is preferable considering that the three best teams dominate, leaving the UAE’s survival hinging on one game.
“You are going to have your ups and downs. We’re going to be in Division One next year, we’re already saying maybe there are advantages in hosting that [tournament]’,” said Bremner.
“But if we go straight back up again, then we’re going to be faced with the same thing – three teams that are very hard to beat plus another good team – it’s a huge ask of amateur players where they know they have very little chance of succeeding.
“If we go back up it still comes down to one game, it’s a cruel competition. But I have every faith in the system we have.”
Bremner says the competition needs restructuring, and the Irishman would prefer to stay in the second tier even if the UAE achieve promotion next season as it would ensure a more level playing field.
Bremner said: “We do a lot of talking about that. Are you going to be in a better place? No one has been in those circumstances before but it’s a valid point.
“I sit on the committee and I sat on it in 2008 when we thought of the A5N. Now there has to be a rethink for a number of reasons.
“Sponsorship is near the end of its term. Financially, across the five divisions, a lot of countries don’t invest in the tournament, they just see it as the highlight of their year. We have to really look at that.
“From a purely neutral point of view, A5N isn’t the type of competition that it was envisioned to be in the first place.”
READ MORE:
– Defeat to the Philippines relegates UAE from Asian 5 Nations
– BLOG: Not all bad for UAE rugby but much more needs to be done
– OPINION: Given their unique problems, the UAE rugby team need to be lauded for their effort
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