The General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare, GAYSW, today stated that the UAE Rugby Federation, UAERF, is the sole recognised and official governing body for the sport of rugby within the UAE.

GAYSW decreed that only those tournaments and teams that are endorsed and recognised by the UAERF can be played under and named ‘National’ ‘National Team’ or use the term ‘UAE Rugby’ in conjunction with any event or team playing domestically, regionally and internationally. As it currently stands, the endorsed and recognised National Teams are UAE Rugby (Union)’s National XV’s, National 7’s and the U20 sides.

To date, no other rugby code which includes League and Touch, have been endorsed by the Federation, or the GAYSW, to represent the country or play under the ‘National Team’ title, or use the term ‘UAE Rugby’ at any level of competition, whether in or outside of the UAE. This, alongside organising and managing any domestic rugby activity is considered as falsely representing the country of the UAE by the relevant government sporting authorities.

Any code under the sport of rugby that continues to use such terms, or conduct and promote, through any and all media outlets and social media channels, any such rugby activities without seeking the relevant permissions or consent of the authorised sporting authorities, will be considered as acting outside of the authorities guidelines, whereby action may be taken.
Source: WAM