Logic says there is no way the UAE Rugby Federation can realistically extend an "Emirati only" policy from the sevens game to the full XVs version. Why would they want to? One board member said this week they "would not hesitate" to pick a fully Emirati XVs side if it was feasible. It is not.
It would a risk irreparable damage to the morale of rookie players still learning the game, as well as carry far more significant risks to health and safety.
Why the rush? In sevens, it is understandable. There is the Asian Games next year, only passport-holders are permitted, and the UAE want to be market leaders in the Middle East.
So far, so agreeable. But the 15-a-side game is totally different. The eight-man scrum is no place for novice players, no matter where you come from.
With the game having been the preserve of expatriates for the past 40 years, the new rulers can be forgiven impatience.
But there are ways and means of speeding up progress. Club chairmen say they have had no dialogue whatsoever with the federation over what they can do to promote Emirati involvement. What about a "target" system for their clubs?
Or a buddy scheme in the national squad. Pick 15 experienced expatriates, give them one Emirati buddy apiece at their position, and task them with getting their man up to speed to the extent they would be happy for them to fill in for them in the side. There would be no escaping the responsibility then.
pradley@thenational.ae
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It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
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Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
If%20you%20go
%3Cp%3E%0DThere%20are%20regular%20flights%20from%20Dubai%20to%20Addis%20Ababa%20with%20Ethiopian%20Airlines%20with%20return%20fares%20from%20Dh1%2C700.%20Nashulai%20Journeys%20offers%20tailormade%20and%20ready%20made%20trips%20in%20Africa%20while%20Tesfa%20Tours%20has%20a%20number%20of%20different%20community%20trekking%20tours%20throughout%20northern%20Ethiopia.%20%20The%20Ben%20Abeba%20Lodge%20has%20rooms%20from%20Dh228%2C%20and%20champions%20a%20programme%20of%20re-forestation%20in%20the%20surrounding%20area.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
