As Speranza 22 set the seal on the most remarkable success story anywhere at the Dubai Rugby Sevens this weekdend, the one person in the squad’s entourage wearing 22 on his back raised his arm and pointed to the sky.
Orlando Speranza shed the first of many tears as the whistle blew on the 17-5 win over SA 7s Academy, and thought aloud: “This one is for you, Marco”.
“I was thinking about my son, because he is not here, but his soul is in every one of the players, and in every one who has supported us,” Orlando said.
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“This is a family. I cannot remember feeling this happy since I lost my son. This was his rugby club, and he was happy when he was here.”
Marco Speranza died in a plane crash in his native Argentina in February 2013. The team bearing his name has appeared at every Dubai Sevens since, but had yet to win a trophy until this weekend.
Doing it this time around was an astounding achievement, given they had accepted a place in the International Invitational, which is one tier down from the full World Series, and involves the development sides of a number of leading countries.
Not bad for a scratch side put together from a group of his mates by Ignacio Costa, a close friend of Speranza’s from their time together with Abu Dhabi Harlequins, but who now lives in Auckland.
“This means the world to me,” Costa said. “I spoke about this with my brothers, and we said there is no team we would rather represent than Speranza.
"Playing for Marco and Orlando means everything to us, and we are overjoyed with this.”
Rory Greene, the manager of the team, said: “Six months ago, the Costa brothers rang me and said, ‘We reckon we can get a team together for the Invitational,’ and I asked if they were sure.
“They said, ‘No, we will get one that can definitely come and compete’. These boys are far from arrogant. They have never let me down on a rugby pitch, or off it. If they say they can compete, they can compete.
“They are so talented, and I don’t think it will be long before we see them out there on the main pitch competing in their country’s colours.”
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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