Following 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 for developing and growing the game in the United Arab Emirates. It was awarded Full Membership status of the Asian Rugby Football Union in June 2011 and was then upgraded by the Government of Youth and Sports to UAE Rugby Federation in October 2012.

The UAE Rugby Federation was awarded Full Membership status of the International Rugby Board in November 2012 — the highest recognition that a Union could be awarded by the International Governing Body 1234

The United Arab Emirates, established in 1971, is a federation of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, Ras Al-Khaimah, and Fujairah. It lies at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa — tapping a vast hinterland of 3 continents, 136 nations, and 3.2 billion people.

The UAE hosts world-class events year-round — from the Dubai Rugby Sevens and Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix to the Dubai Desert Classic and Dubai World Cup. With major sporting infrastructure across the Emirates, the UAE continues to be a premier destination for international sport.

Rugby’s beginnings in the Middle East stretch back to 1947. In 1974, representatives from UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia established the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union. What began 50 years ago has grown into one of the premier rugby sevens tournaments in the world — the Dubai Rugby Sevens.