Shaheen will represent the UAE Rugby Federation at the Monaco International Rugby Sevens Championship this week, as the Emirati squad continues its build-up to a busy run of Asian competitions.
The tournament starts on Friday in Monaco and includes seven European club sides, with Shaheen joining the field as part of UAE Rugby’s wider preparation programme.
“Shaheen’s participation in the Monaco tournament represents an important step within the federation’s plan to prepare Emirati players.”
The team travelled to France several days before the event for a short training camp. The camp gives the squad time to work on fitness, sharpen technical details and adjust to the level of competition before the opening matches.
Shaheen is made up of Emirati players. UAE Rugby views the side as a key part of its pathway for national players, giving them overseas match experience and exposure to different styles of sevens rugby.
The Monaco tournament comes before a run of fixtures later in the year. The UAE programme includes the first round of the Asia Rugby Championships for men and women in China on August 29 and 30, the Asian Games in Japan from October 1 to 3, and the second round of the Asia Championship in Sri Lanka on October 17 and 18.
Mohamed Sultan Al Zaabi, Secretary-General of the UAE Rugby Federation, said the Monaco trip is part of the federation’s plan to prepare Emirati players for international competition.
He said tournaments of this type help players improve their technical and physical level, while giving them a better feel for the demands of official competition.
