The United Arab Emirates established in the year 1971 is a federation of seven states termed emirates, which are Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, Ras Al-Khaimah, and Fujairah.
It lies at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa; it taps a vast hinterland comprising 3 continents, 136 nations, and 3.2 billion people.
With major sporting infrastructures being built in United Arab Emirates, there are more chances of hosting worldwide events across the emirates. It is just amazing to see such world class infrastructure from Maydan the horse racing course, to Dubai Sport City with major stadiums being built, to Abu Dhabi YAS F1 racing course, and the Emirates Airlines Rugby ground.
There really is something for everyone in the United Arab Emirates.
In the year 1974, expatriate representatives from the rugby clubs in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia decided to set up a union called the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union, it was since then rugby started to become popular in the region.
What began 40 years ago with a small band of British expatriates has grown into one of the premier rugby sevens tournament around the world, the Dubai Rugby Sevens has exceeded expectations with world record crowds, thrilling rugby action, entertainment second to none and an impressive new venue all ensured has widen the popularity of the game within this region and especially the United Arab Emirates.
The IRB decided in 2008 that the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union is now an anomaly in IRB membership structures and hence recommended that a national governing body in the UAE.
Following to the IRB decision a board meeting from the UAE Minister of Culture and Youth and Community Development and the Chairman of the Government of Youth and Sports decreed in early 2009 the formation of the board of directors of the UAE Rugby Association.
Since then the UAE Rugby Association, was responsible of developing and growing the game in the United Arab Emirates, It was awarded Full Membership status of the Asian Rugby Football Union on June 2011 and was then upgraded by the Government of Youth and Sports to UAE Rugby Federation in October 2012 after it has shown its commitment in developing and growing the game in the United Arab Emirates.
The UAE Rugby Federation was then awarded a Full Membership status of the International Rugby Board in November 2012 which is the highest recognition that a Union could be awarded by the International Governing Body.
