UAE Rugby positive after historic meeting with club heads
The UAE Rugby Federation (UAERF) has allayed concerns that expatriates will no longer have a role to play in the development of the sport in the country.
UAERF secretary general Qais Abdulla Al Dhalai (below) reiterated that only Emiratis would be considered to represent the country at Sevens in future international competitions but when it comes to 15-a-side game there has not been any policy change.
"Whatever has been going in media is not right. Fifteen-a-side is open to everyone. No matter about gender, colour or nationality. We are the regulatory body of rugby here in UAE. We are not there to discriminate between nationalities," said Al Dhalai at a press conference held at the UAERF office on Wednesday.
He shot down speculation that following the UAERF board decision to field an all-Emirati side for the Asian Sevens Series, expatriates would be denied the chance of representing UAE in the 15-a-side game as well.
"Sevens is Emirati business now onwards, no matter what it takes us. We have a reason. We have future commitments such as Asian Games in Incheon, Korea where rugby will be played. Only passport holders will be playing, so there is no choice," he explained.
He shrugged off UAE's poor performance in Kuala Lumpur where they lost all five games.
"If you compare results in KL with results of last year there is no huge difference. We went last year with 80 per cent expat players but we were still losing by big scores. Yes we won some but lost many. Going to KL and being beaten in all five games is not an issue," he said in answer to a question.
"We don't look at the result. We just need to develop our players. You have to start somewhere because next September how can we go and play in Incheon. How can I persuade my NOC (National Olympic Committee) that we have an Emirati team? They want to see Emiratis playing the game," he added.
However, their policy on 15-a-side has not changed.
"Unless I'm sure that I have the base of Emirati players I will not have a facelift in 15 a side," he said.
Having said that he said they were not obliged to select those players who qualify to represent the country on the three-year residency rule as approved by the IRB (International Rugby Board).
"Some players or some people think with this IRB rule it is a must that a union must recruit expat players. It is a really positive advantage to the host union. If they lack player pool, they can utilize other expats. But it is not an obligation only an advantage for unions to utilize everyone in the community, and the IRB and ARFU (Asian Rugby Football Union) aimed to expand the rugby playing pool thus came up with the eligibility of three years residency," he said.
However, UAERF has begun a new era of transparency with rugby clubs with the twin objective of developing Emiratis without discriminating against the expatriate rugby community.
UAERF spokesman Al Dhalai outlined their strategic objectives for the next three years at a fruitful meeting with the chairman of clubs in the UAE.
"For the first time there was a meeting between the federation and chairman of clubs to exchange thoughts and listen to their requirements. What do they really need and what are their concerns. It was a very nice and excellent meeting. Everyone happy and supportive," said Al Dhalai.
Asked about the exit of Ian Bremner as CEO (Chief Executive Officer), Al Dhalai said: "The General Authority for Youth and Sports which approves organisational structure for every federation does not permit a CEO. What we did previously was something extraordinary, something exceptional for the rugby federation because we were new and they understood. The board of directors came to a conclusion we do not need a CEO."
"We felt every era has to have different phases. Depends on where we are. All operations, administration and regulating the game will stay as it is. Nothing has been changed. My management and operational teams will be taking care and overseeing all UAERF operations," said Al Dhalai placing on record their appreciation of Bremner's service.
"We thank Ian for his hard work since he joined us two years and eight months ago. He did a very good job for us. We all appreciate his work," he said.
"A minority (at the meeting) was linking departure of Ian with the result of KL (Asian Sevens Malaysia). I want to make clear it has nothing to do with Ian's departure. This is something else. They were just concerned about future of game and strategic objective in terms of Sevens and 15s," said Al Dhalai.
A positive outcome of the meeting between the federation and clubs was a proposal to form a committee to discuss the future of the game.
"Dubai Exiles's chairman Mike Wolff came with brilliant idea to form a committee which consists of three club chairmen and a UAE board representative to talk about future of game. How the clubs can succeed in attracting Emiratis," he said acknowledging their failure to attract Emiratis to the sport.
"We have tried our utmost to have Emiratis but it is always failing. Last season we worked closely with Dubai Wasps and even paid for their subscription fees. It did not work," he said in exasperation.
"I don't know why but some playera they cannot go there. Maybe there are cultural barriers between expatriate and Emiratis. We have to find a way which is very suitable for both parties (clubs and federation) which aim at facilitating Emirati enrolment to the clubs. This is our job now. The majority of clubs like my idea and I told them it is their call, bearing in mind that the Emirati youth population is a small one and we all have to understand that there are other competitors like Football, Basketball, Handball, Athletics etc... so attracting those Emirati youth population to play rugby rather than other sports in clubs is not an easy issue and if any club chairman thinks differently then we will definitely going to the dark tunnel," he said.
"I have told clubs that among the 22-member squad there could be one or eight Emiratis. Not everyone can play Sevens. We have Emirati players who are big. I can't end their life saying no more rugby, play boxing. I have to give them another chance. I'm not imposing selection of head coach. Only trying to be clear that we are trying to enroll those players to the clubs," he said.
He drew a parallel with South Africa which went from a white rugby community to mixed.
"South Africa adopted a system to have quota for every team. We have not reached this stage yet. Let us form a committee and then we can discuss that," he said.
Al Dhalai said it was time to move on from the past and look ahead to a bright future.
"The domestic competition will remain as it is and we are going to improve it and enhance it. In 2014 we might have prize money for the Premiership and Conference winners. We have many ideas which take time. We know how to motivate players. We are moving positively,” he said.
"We have a different way of thinking. In the past UAE lacked communication with the clubs but now things have been changed. I think it's positive. Everyone optimistic about the future," he concluded.