7 Sep 2012

UAE to host sevens tournament

5:32 am on 7 September 2012

The United Arab Emirates plans to host an inter-Arabian Gulf Rugby Sevens tournament to boost the sport regionally, ahead of the 2014 Asian Games and the 2016 Olympics.

The event is also part of a drive to get Sevens into the West Asian Games.

Officials have held talks with rugby's world governing body, the International Rugby Board (IRB), and plan to stage the four-nation event in November.

The UAE's rugby chiefs are looking to increase the number of nationals playing the game with a view to future involvement in the Asian and Olympic Games.

The sport will feature in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea and also for the first time at an Olympics in Rio de Janeiro 2016.