Shaheen Rugby are stepping up preparations for the Emirates 7’s Asia Rugby Clubs Cup inspired by UUDS AERO, with the UAE development side set to compete in Sri Lanka on July 4 and 5.
The squad, which is linked to the UAE Rugby Federation, has been training three times a week at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai.
Around 30 players are involved in the camp. Head coach Khaldoun Al-Malihi and assistant coach Yousif Shaker will cut that group to 12 players for the tournament.
The competition is part of a larger programme for UAE players, with the Asia Rugby Sevens Series also in view later in the year.
Shaheen’s build-up follows their recent silver medal at the Monaco International Rugby Sevens in France. That result gave the side useful match time against strong opposition, and federation officials see the Sri Lanka tournament as another step in that process.
Shaheen also played a recent friendly against UUDS, whose squad included several Fiji sevens internationals. Mohamed Ali and Mubarak Al-Mansoori were among the players praised by the coaching staff after the match.
Levai, however, will miss the Sri Lanka tournament after suffering an injury during Shaheen’s recent trip to France.
Shaheen Rugby are stepping up preparations for the Emirates 7’s Asia Rugby Clubs Cup
Mohamed Sultan Al-Zaabi, Secretary-General of the UAE Rugby Federation, said the team had reached a solid level of readiness before the Asian event.
“The Federation has worked over the past period to involve the Shaheen team in several strong international tournaments to raise the players’ technical and physical fitness,” Al-Zaabi said.
“The latest of these was the Monaco International Tournament in France, where the team successfully secured second place and won the silver medal among an elite group of teams and national sides.”
Al-Zaabi said Shaheen remains an important part of the UAE Rugby Federation’s player pathway, with the squad acting as a route into the senior national team.
He also pointed to the support of Sheikh Mohamed bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, president of the federation, in giving the team regular competitive exposure.
“We look forward to an honorable performance by the team in the inaugural Asia Rugby Club Championship”
“These participations represent a major milestone within the preparation and grooming program of national team players for upcoming commitments, led by the Asia Rugby Sevens Series.”
The tournament in Sri Lanka will give Shaheen another chance to test their squad outside the UAE before the next stage of the regional sevens calendar.
