DUBAI // The UAE may have played host to the final Rugby World Cup Sevens after the game's ruling body revealed plans to scrap the event if the sport is accepted into the Olympics.
The International Rugby Board are willing to sacrifice the tournament and make a potential Olympic Sevens competition the pinnacle of the four-year cycle. They will make a pitch to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) next month, as they bid for one of two places available to new sports at the 2016 Games.
The 24-nation tournament in March at Dubai formed the cornerstone of the IRB's Olympic bid. Crucially, a 16-team women's competition, which was played concurrently to the men's event - won by Wales - showcased the inclusiveness of the sport in front of a 35,000 strong crowd.
In 2005, when rugby last failed in its attempt to be included, it was criticised for not doing enough to develop the women's game.
Mike Friday, who enjoyed much success at the Dubai Rugby Sevens as the coach of England's men's side, was a coaching consultant to their women's side in March.
He said: "It was wonderful in 1998 to go to the Commonwealth Games as a player, and in Manchester 2002 when I was coaching. It just has to be an Olympic sport, because it crosses 56 nations, both in the men's game and the women's."
As Cheryl Soon, the captain of the winning Australian women's team in Dubai, put it: "To win a medal at the Olympics is the absolute pinnacle. It's what we dream of."
The prominence of nations such as Fiji, Samoa and Argentina, who have little Olympic presence in other sports, is also a major selling point for the IRB.
Friday added: "In a lot of sports, it is pretty much foregone who the top eight are normally, but the top sevens sides could come from anywhere, which is what the Olympics is all about."
@Email:pradley@thenational.ae
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Creator: Jenna Lamia
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Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
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MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
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The Baghdad Clock
Shahad Al Rawi, Oneworld
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
BLACKBERRY
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Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam
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Company%20Profile
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Tips for used car buyers
- Choose cars with GCC specifications
- Get a service history for cars less than five years old
- Don’t go cheap on the inspection
- Check for oil leaks
- Do a Google search on the standard problems for your car model
- Do your due diligence. Get a transfer of ownership done at an official RTA centre
- Check the vehicle’s condition. You don’t want to buy a car that’s a good deal but ends up costing you Dh10,000 in repairs every month
- Validate warranty and service contracts with the relevant agency and and make sure they are valid when ownership is transferred
- If you are planning to sell the car soon, buy one with a good resale value. The two most popular cars in the UAE are black or white in colour and other colours are harder to sell
Tarek Kabrit, chief executive of Seez, and Imad Hammad, chief executive and co-founder of CarSwitch.com
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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More coverage from the Future Forum
The line up
Friday: Giggs, Sho Madjozi and Masego
Saturday: Nas, Lion Bbae, Roxanne Shante and DaniLeigh
Sole DXB runs from December 6 to 8 at Dubai Design District. Weekend pass is Dh295 while a one day pass is Dh195. Tickets are available from www.soledxb.com
At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17
At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253
