Sevens into seven will go for Emirates
DUBAI – Hong Kong’s claim to be the home of the world’s best rugby Sevens tournament is to be challenged by – you’ve guessed it – the emirate of Dubai.
A purpose-built, seven pitch complex funded by Emirates airline will be the new home for the annual Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens.
The enormous success of cricket’s 20-20 format is encouraging rugby officials to believe that the Sevens game can attract similar support.
The purpose-built complex will be the new home of rugby in Dubai from next year.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Emirates chairman and chief executive, said Emirates was proud to be establishing a new home for rugby which would be pivotal to the development of the sport in the UAE and the wider Gulf region.
The complex, located off the Al Ain Road near Dubailand, will include a main pitch with a permanent 10,000-seat grandstand; while a second pitch will be located in a bowl, enclosed on three sides by grassed embankments capable of holding a crowd of 15,000.
Work on the rugby centre is underway and is due to be completed by November next year in time to stage the 2008 Dubai Rugby Sevens and the 2009 IRB Sevens Rugby World Cup.
A key consideration in the overall design of the new complex was to ensure that spectators would still be able to walk freely between all the seven pitches in use.
Sheikh Ahmed said, “We have taken the model that has worked so well for so long, and part of that is people like to watch games on other pitches and intermingle. We were adamant that that had to continue.
“With the new ground, we will be able to welcome 40,000 rugby fans with the ability to grow to 50,000 – and that would make the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens the biggest Sevens tournament in the world.
“We currently have over 150 teams taking part but further down the line, we could up that total to more than 200.”
The new stadium will accommodate hospitality areas, medical and broadcast facilities, a world-class media centre and changing rooms. Close by will be a 30-metre wide rugby ‘promenade’ featuring food outlets and cafes.
A two-storey 80-metre long rugby clubhouse will separate the remaining five rugby pitches with a rooftop entertainment area as well as family facilities, including a swimming pool.
Ian Jarrett
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