DUBAI // Thousands of people travelled to the final day of the Dubai Rugby Sevens on Saturday to enjoy not only the games but the festival atmosphere.
The three-day Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens features professional and amateur teams from around the world battling it out for glory.
And Garisha K, who was at the Sevens Stadium on the Dubai-Al Ain Road with her husband and two children, said the family looked forward to the event especially because it was child friendly. “My husband and I are big rugby fans, and we support the All Blacks,” said Garisha from Sri Lanka.
“We also like to come here every year because it’s lots of fun for the children.”
Meanwhile, Briton Andy Daniels, 63, who was in the emirate on business, was delighted that his trip coincided with the tournament. “I’m here for the rugby and for the fun,” he said.
Mr Daniels, who has been coming to Dubai since 2001, said it was fascinating how the emirate had changed and evolved over the past 15 years.
“It’s so impressive because it’s brought together so many people, cultures, religions and races, who seem to be getting along very well,” he said.
Tony Kruger, 63, has been living in Dubai for a little more than five months.
“Am I a fan of rugby? I’m South African – rugby is my life,” Mr Kruger said.
As for the Dubai Rugby Sevens event, it is something he will most definitely be coming to again.
“I’m very impressed by the tournament, it’s awesome,” he said. “Just try and stop me [from coming back ].”
Mr Kruger said that he was looking forward to bringing his twin 12-year-old boys to the tournament next year.
For Briton Michael Husband, 39, a football fan who has been living in the UAE for more than year, the Sevens was a new experience of rugby for him – one he enjoyed.
“It’s pretty good, but it’s not as good as football,” he said. “But it’s good because the Sevens is fast, usually rugby is too slow. I would want to come back next year and for more than one day.”
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
