Rugby league might have ceased to exist in the UAE after an acrimonious dispute at the end of the last union season.
However, touch, the non-contact version of the oval ball game, will prove it remains a thriving alternative this weekend when around 40 teams compete in the Middle East Touch Championships.
Teams have arrived in Abu Dhabi from Sri Lanka, India and Saudi Arabia to play in the competition, which begins this evening with the opening round of matches at Al Ghazal Golf Club.
As well as leading clubs from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain and Fujairah will also be represented at the tournament, according to John Larkins, the organiser of Middle East Touch.
“Expats from Saudi look like being our biggest representation of sides from abroad,” Larkins said.
“Half of them have driven all the way to make the journey, they are so committed. Most of the emirates are represented, too, which is great.”
Apollo Perelini, the interim coach of the UAE’s rugby union teams, will be present to give coaching clinics, alongside Scott Prince, the former Australia rugby league international.
Perelini, who played for Samoa in both union and league, runs his own independent academy in Dubai, teaching skills which are applicable in both rugby codes.
The continued growth of touch is in contrast to league. Earlier this week, an invitational side of veterans from the 13-man code who have been regular fixtures at the annual Dubai Rugby Sevens, announced they have withdrawn from this year’s competition.
Back in May, the organisation which had been running league in this country was shut down, after its self-appointed president, Sol Mokdad, was sent to prison for illegally claiming the title of president of it.
A committee was set up by the UAE Rugby Federation, the only government-recognised body permitted to administer rugby codes in this country, to oversee league.
However, the Rugby League International Federation refused to recognise that committee, and hope an independent league body will be constituted in the future.
Now, the invitational side from the British Amateur Rugby League Association have opted out of sending a side to the Dubai Sevens.
League has been represented in the union showpiece in the past.
Perelini himself came to the tournament with St Helens when he was still a player, while Joining Jack are a prominent charity side made up of league greats.
Barla Bulldogs will be absent from the over-35s 10s event in December, though, for the first time in six years.
“For a number of years now Barla have been questioned as why the organisation were playing union and playing in Dubai,” Steve Manning, the vice chairman of Barla, said.
“As a result of circumstances brought to the board of management it was unanimously agreed that this will now cease forthwith.
“If a player or players decide they want to go and play in the other code that is entirely up to them and they will have to do it under their own steam without any backing and financial support from this organisation.”
pradley@thenational.ae
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