Rugby in the Middle East will get a reminder of the glory days of the past when the expanded, nine-team cross-border West Asia Championship starts Friday afternoon.
For much of the sport’s history in this part of the world, teams would fly to various points around the Arabian Gulf on a regular basis.
Travel has been cut down substantially over the past decade, in part due to the prohibitive costs of playing.
The growth of the population of the UAE in general, and Dubai in particular, over that time has also meant this country can now sustain a competitive league of its own.
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Clubs from elsewhere in the region, though, are still forced to maintain fortnightly travel. The likes of Doha, who are officially West Asia’s top club at present, and Bahrain manage to thrive despite the constant logistical and financial challenges.
The third non-UAE side in the competition are Muscat, who are returning to the elite cross-border competition for the first time after a lengthy break.
They are realistic about their prospects on the field, limiting their goal to winning 75 per cent of their home matches, but just playing at this level again is a triumph in itself.
“It can be tough with all the travel, especially for us as many of our players are older guys with family commitments,” Alex Maxton, the Muscat inside-centre and captain, said.
“I know some of the Dubai clubs have 60 to 70 players training. Our squad is a maximum of 25 players in the senior squad.”
Muscat have spent much of their history, which stretches back to the start of the 1970s, pitch-hopping and making ends meet.
On Friday, they travel to perhaps the biggest club in the region, Dubai Exiles. While the Exiles first-teamers have not had to think about getting visas or air tickets for weekend rugby matches yet this season, their visitors have already been to Doha twice and Bahrain once since September.
They travel to Dubai three times this month, and host Abu Dhabi Harlequins in the Oman capital on January 22.
Their playing budget for the season is Dh350,000, for which they are indebted to a club membership, including social, vets and mini and youth, that numbers over 1,000.
According to Maxton, recent seasons have been good to the club, with the rapid growth of the junior section and thanks to corporate sponsorship from Mercedes, DHL and Grand Hyatt.
He remains cautious about the team’s chances in the West Asia Championship, though.
“Muscat doesn’t have a very big expat population, and it is an even smaller western expat population from where you can find rugby players,” he said.
“As everyone knows in the Gulf, there is a huge difference between home and away.
“If we can win 75 per cent of our home games, that will represent a very successful season, because we don’t have the facilities and player resources that others do.
“When we go away we will do whatever we can, and will hopefully score some tries and get some bonus points. It is going to be hugely difficult for us, but we will give it everything we have got.”
WEST ASIA CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM GUIDE
Al Ain Amblers
Form: Last in the UAE Premiership
The stated aim when the Garden City side arrived in the top tier was to be credible at Premiership level. A single bonus point from seven games to date suggests it has been a struggle so far, but Amblers did reach the final of the Dubai Rugby Sevens.
Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Form: First in the UAE Premiership
So far, so good for the capital’s oldest club. At the halfway point of the UAE Premiership, they sit top, ahead of Dubai Exiles on points difference. They have also banked the first trophy of the season, having won the Dubai Rugby Sevens in dominant style.
Abu Dhabi Saracens
Form: Third in the UAE Premiership
A change in coach and administration in the summer affected the opening weeks of Saracens’ campaign. But this was the point they started to find gear last season, as they stunned the competition by claiming a first top flight title in the Gulf Top Six.
Bahrain
Form: Second in the Gulf Premiership
Winners of the Gulf Premiership, the competition for non-UAE sides in the Arabian Gulf, two seasons ago, they have ceded ground to holders Doha having lost twice this term. Bahrain have a glorious history, and are a daunting prospect on home turf.
Doha
Form: First in the Gulf Premiership
Officially the top side in the region already, having beaten all comers in the new West Asia Champions League - a competition that also included sides from Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan - back in September. Seven wins from seven Gulf Premiership matches.
Dubai Exiles
Form: Second in UAE Premiership
A revelation domestically, having reached the break level on points with Abu Dhabi Harlequins at the top. Their lone defeat came in a final play loss at Harlequins, in a match they could argue they deserved to win. A powerful pack makes them contenders.
Dubai Hurricanes
Form: Fourth in the UAE Premiership
The Hurricanes are capable of toppling any side at their best, but are also prone to inconsistency, too, as evidenced by a record of three wins and four losses in the domestic Premiership so far. They are without a fixture on the opening weekend.
Jebel Ali Dragons
Form: Fifth in the UAE Premiership
Peerless in rugby in this region not so long ago, they slipped alarmingly from their pedestal during a miserable first half to the season. Affected more than anyone else by international call ups early in the campaign, if availability improves they should be a threat.
Muscat
Form: Third in the Gulf Premiership
With only the Kuwait Scorpions and Doha’s second string below them in the Gulf Premiership, form suggests Muscat’s return to the top-flight of cross-border competition might be a struggle. Being there at all represents some success, though.
pradley@thenational.ae
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