DUBAI // The UAE will field an international rugby team for the first time next year and will immediately be pitched against the best sides in Asia, under the terms of a landmark deal agreed yesterday.
The Arabian Gulf, the entity which has represented the eight GCC countries in international competition until now, will disband at the end of this year, as part of an IRB-led revamp of the sport in the region.
At the end of last season, the Gulf secured their place in the top level of competition in the continent, the HSBC Asian Five Nations, by way of victories over Hong Kong and Korea. The Gulf will have been delisted as a member of the IRB by the time the tournament is played next year, which had led to some confusion as to who would fill the vacancy at Asian rugby's top table.
But the UAE Rugby Association (UAE RA), the new national governing body, has accepted a conditional offer to enter a soon-to-be-established UAE side in the competition.
Their entry is based on them meeting a set of criteria as laid out by the Asian Rugby Football Union and the IRB. "The UAE RA has confirmed they will meet those criteria, and I am working very closely with them to bring that to fruition," Matt Oakley, the IRB's West Asia project manager, said.
The association has committed to engaging with the management team and those players formerly attached to the Gulf who are eligible to play for the UAE.
Furthermore, they have committed to host two international Tests, one of which will be televised, and travelling to two away games in the Asian Five Nations.
Perhaps of greater concern for the majority of rugby enthusiasts here will be how the landscape of club rugby is about to change.
In order to smooth the transition, the UAE RA has invited Gulf Rugby LLC, the new name for the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union, to continue to organise domestic rugby on their behalf, by way of an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two bodies yesterday.
Oakley, who has been overseeing the movement towards change in his role with the IRB, believes the MoU will assist the UAE RA's bid to attract Emiratis to the game, as well as keeping long-serving expatriate players happy.
"Our meat-and-drink rugby is going to carry on as always, but now will be overseen by a national association," Oakley said. "[The UAE RA's] rightful agenda is to promote rugby amongst Emirati youths, and sevens is the medium for that, especially looking towards [the 2016 Olympic Games, when sevens will be played for the first time]."
Qais Abdullah Aldhalai, the deputy general secretary of UAE RA, said: "We know in four or five years time we need Emiratis to represent our team. To play in the Olympic Games, you need to be a passport-holder."
@Email:pradley@thenational.ae
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
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The specs
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Naga
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Meydan Racecourse racecard:
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7.05pm: Maiden for 2-year-old fillies (TB) | Dh165,000 | 1,400m
7.40pm: The Dubai Creek Mile Listed (TB) | Dh265,000 | 1,600m
8.15pm: Maiden for 2-year-old colts (TB) | Dh165,000 | 1,600m
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) | Dh265,000 | 2,000m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | Dh190,000 | 1,200m
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Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
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Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
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